Former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has dismissed Governor Monday Okpebholo’s warning against his planned return to the state, insisting that no governor has the constitutional authority to ban a citizen from entering any part of Nigeria.
Obaseki, who spoke on Sunday through his media team, described Okpebholo’s alleged threat as “a display of insecurity and desperation,” adding that his right to move freely within the country remains protected under the constitution.
According to him, the recent tension stems from ongoing political disagreements within the state’s power blocs, but he stressed that such disputes should never escalate into attempts to intimidate or restrict personal freedom. He maintained that he would visit Benin City “whenever necessary,” regardless of the governor’s stance.
Obaseki accused the current administration of attempting to silence opposition voices, warning that such actions could undermine democratic principles.
He advised Okpebholo to focus instead on governance and delivering on his campaign promises rather than “picking unnecessary fights.”
“There is no law in Nigeria that empowers a governor to prevent any citizen, including a former governor, from entering their own state,” the statement read. “Edo belongs to all of us, not to one man or a political faction.”
The development has intensified the political rift between both leaders, raising concerns about rising tensions ahead of upcoming political activities in the state.