Edo APC Chairman Declares Widespread Hatred for Peter Obi Issues Entry Warning

Edo State APC Chairman, Jarret Tenebe, stirred controversy on Saturday with remarks suggesting that Labour Party leader Peter Obi would not be allowed into the state without prior clearance from Governor Monday Okpebholo.

Speaking to reporters, Tenebe claimed that Obi is widely disliked in Edo, stating, “Peter Obi can’t come to Edo without permission from Gov Okpebholo because of the kind of hatred that people have for him in Edo State, including me.” He added, “There’s deep-rooted hatred for him in this state, and anyone who stands in our way will be smoked out.”

Tenebe’s comments mirror earlier statements by Governor Okpebholo, who previously warned that Obi’s unannounced visits had caused unrest and, in some cases, violence. The insistence on seeking clearance appears to be a coordinated stance by the APC in the state.

The statement has intensified political tensions in Edo ahead of upcoming elections, with many viewing it as both a reflection of the ruling party’s posture and a signal of a volatile political atmosphere.