Peter Obi Dismisses Okpebholo’s Threat, Vows To Return To Edo

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has insisted he will return to Edo State despite a warning from the state governor, Monday Okpebholo, who reportedly said Obi’s safety would not be guaranteed if he visited.

Obi made the statement while speaking to journalists in Awka, Anambra State, following the governor’s threat. He said he was not intimidated and emphasized that threats were nothing new to him.

“Threats don’t make any sense to me. I receive threats every day. Do you know how many times I have been threatened all over Nigeria? I receive threats every day, actually, the ones you know about were because they were vocal, but I will not be afraid.”

The former Anambra State governor stated that if he needed to go to Edo to make a donation, he would do so without hesitation.

“If I have the opportunity to go to Benin and make donations again, trust me, I will. I have always said that we should de-emphasize politics and think more of how to invest in the people. I went to Benin to invest in people because if they have good doctors and good nurses, they will have a better life.”

He also criticized Governor Okpebholo for opposing his charitable gesture rather than supporting it.

“What the governor should have done is to complement what I was doing in his state instead of threatening me. He should be sincerely grateful.”

Obi made these comments during a visit to his alma mater, Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha, where he presented a ₦50 million donation contributed by himself and other alumni.

Speaking further, Obi revealed that he had discussed with some fellow old boys the school’s need for staff quarters and administrative buildings, which prompted the collective donation.

“I say it every day that those who have verifiable honest means of livelihood should endeavor to invest in schools, invest in society, invest in health, lift people from poverty, and empower others. I did not say go and steal money and donate to schools.”

“I just spoke to one or two old boys of this school. They said that we don’t have teachers quarters, we don’t have staff quarters, and we don’t have administrative blocks, and they decided to donate. That is what people should be doing.”

Obi also stated that he would continue to support schools across the country, regardless of any threats made against him.

“I’m in school today to make a donation, I’m going to be in school somewhere in Nigeria tomorrow too. I’m going to be in school on Saturday, I’m going to be in school on Sunday, and even on Monday. Forget about the threat, it’s a waste of time,” he added.