The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has thrown his weight behind the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo over the recent controversy surrounding the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, on the alleged denial of access to public facilities during his visit to the state.
According to Wike, who addressed journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Okpebholo acted within his constitutional powers as governor and dismissed the security backlash as unnecessary.
Wike described the backlash trailing Okpebholo’s decision to grant or deny security clearance for events in Edo State as “politically exaggerated,” adding that governors have the legal authority to manage security logistics within their states.
“The governor of a state is the chief security officer. He reserves the right to assess any security risk and act accordingly. What Governor Obaseki did was within his mandate, and I support him,” he said.
The issue gained national attention after Obi’s team alleged that his planned town hall meeting in Benin City was obstructed due to a delay or denial in receiving security clearance from the Edo State Government.
The move triggered criticism from Labour Party members and some civil society groups, who claimed it was Wike, a former governor of Rivers State and a strong voice in national politics, emphasised that the matter should not be politicised, noting that security is a sensitive matter that should be handled professionally and not emotionally.
“Peter Obi is a respected politician. But governance is not about sentiments. Security decisions are not made on Twitter or in the media,” he said.
He also took a swipe at those accusing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of trying to suppress the opposition, insisting that such narratives are distractions from more pressing national issues.
In response to Wike’s comments, a spokesperson for Obi’s campaign insisted the issue was not about security protocols but a pattern of obstruction against opposition voices.
“This is not an isolated case. We’ve faced similar challenges in other PDP- and APC-controlled states. We call on all democratic actors to defend the right of movement and free expression,” he said.
Political analysts say the exchange highlights deeper tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections, with top figures beginning to draw battle lines in subtle ways.
“Wike’s defense of Obaseki is a signal that the PDP is tightening internal ranks.
“But it may also deepen perceptions of intolerance if not carefully mana Peter Obi, who came third in the 2023 presidential election, has continued to tour the country on what his team describes as a citizen engagement initiative,” said Dr. Yusuf Olaniyan, a political scientist at the University of Abuja.
His rising popularity among young voters continues to rattle the political establishment.
As the dust settles, Wike’s public support for Okpebholo may have cooled tempers, but it has also raised fresh questions about the balance between state security and political freedom in Nigeria’s evolving democracy.
“Security decisions must be respected. But transparency and dialogue must always be part of the process,” Wike added.