Edo State Government has insisted that Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo’s advice to the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, to follow due protocol is for the interest and safety of the people of the state, including himself.

The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon Paul Ohonbamu, who disclosed this while briefing journalists in Benin City, stated that Okpebholo, as the chief security officer charged with the responsibility to protect every citizen, has the right to take decisions to protect the people by avoiding any incident that will incite violence in the state.

“The Governor told Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party Presidential candidate to follow the standard practice and protocol of informing the government when he is in the state.

“Like any other responsible leader, Peter Obi was advised by the Governor to inform the government when he visits the state because if anything happens and he becomes a victim, it is the state government that will be blamed.

“It has been observed that when Peter Obi comes to the state he is accompanied by a movement of troops, which has led to incitement of violence in the past.

“As the chief security of the state the governor is conscious, and he is saying that when he is coming to the state the government should be informed.

“Governor Okpebholo visited Kano State, and he informed the governor that he was coming to Kano. He went to Kano with just two people and it was the Governor of Kano State that provided the security and everything.

“That is the standing protocol, and Peter Obi as a former Governor knows this. There should be no need for all the misrepresentation of the Governor’s statement.

“You do not enter into a state and start gathering people for political reasons. You can do anything you want, but the Governor should be informed to ensure there is crowd control, security and safety of everybody, including Peter Obi,” he stated.