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The Edo State Government on Sunday said that Governor Monday Okpebholo’s warning that the Labour Party’s Presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, should get security clearance before coming to the state, should not be misconstrued as a threat.

On July 18, the governor said that Obi’s visit to St Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences on June 7, where he donated N15 million for the completion of projects in the school, coincided with the resurgence of violence and the killing of three persons.

The governor said, “That man who says he has no ‘shishi’ came and dropped ₦15 million. Where did he get it from? After he left, three people were killed. For this reason, Obi must not come to Edo without security clearance.

“His visit coincided with a resurgence of violence in the state, and this will not be tolerated.”

However, in a statement by the governor’s CPS, Fred Itua, he said that Okpebholo’s statement was given various misinterpretations.

The statement reads, “The attention of the Edo State Government has been drawn to various misinterpretations surrounding the recent remarks made by Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, regarding the visit of Peter Obi to the state.

“It is imperative to state clearly that the Governor did not issue any form of threat to Mr. Obi, but rather emphasised the need for high-profile individuals, particularly politically exposed persons, to notify and seek security clearance from the Governor before embarking on any public engagements within the state.

“As the Chief Security Officer of Edo State, it is the Governor’s constitutional responsibility to safeguard the lives and property of all residents and visitors alike. This duty includes ensuring that adequate security measures are put in place during high-profile visits or events that may attract large crowds or media attention.

“When such protocols are ignored, it creates serious security vulnerabilities, not only for the visitor but also for citizens who may be caught in avoidable threats.”

Itua added that the governor’s position is relevant in light of the rising attacks and abductions of religious leaders, especially Catholic priests and Christian clerics.

He noted that the state has witnessed its share of these tragic incidents, including the abduction of seminarians and the killing of clergy in recent years.

He noted that public donations made to churches, hospitals, or other faith-based institutions, while noble in intent, must be approached with caution and in full consultation with the appropriate security channels to avoid exposing these institutions and their leaders to further danger.

He added, “The governor’s comments on the need for discretion in public giving are rooted in both security intelligence and moral responsibility. The Holy Scripture reminds us that giving is best done in private, as Jesus admonished us in Matthew 6: 2 – 4 that, “when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpet…but when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

“In today’s volatile security environment, this wisdom cannot be overstated. Governor Okpebholo is not Peter Obi, who, as Governor of Anambra State, detained Nasir El-Rufai when he visited.

“Furthermore, the Governor’s concerns should not be twisted for political mileage by individuals seeking to score cheap points. The state Government will not fold its arms and allow politically motivated activities to endanger lives. We expect leaders, no matter how highly placed, to align with the protocols and security realities of the areas they visit.

“Governor Okpebholo is committed to a safe and inclusive Edo State for all. His administration is working tirelessly to address the insecurity it inherited, and his call for coordination and orderliness should be seen as a measure of responsible governance, not hostility. The Edo State Government will continue to welcome all well-meaning Nigerians, provided appropriate security and procedural protocols are respected.”

A Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Emmanuel Fayose, has expressed concern over the deplorable state of federal roads in the state, urging the government to urgently intervene.

Fayose lamented that the poor condition of the roads has caused untold hardship, exposing motorists and travellers to danger, distress, and prolonged suffering.

He spoke on Saturday at Iluomoba Ekiti, where he provided truckloads of gravel stones to fill up some dilapidated and impassable portions of the Ijan-Iluomoba axis of the Ado-Ijan-Ikare federal road to enable the transporters, who had been stranded for some days, to continue with their journeys to their destinations.

The PDP chieftain said, “I travelled in from Abuja yesterday. I decided to come by road to get a feeling of what the people are feeling. I discovered that the road is very bad. On getting to Iluomoba Ekiti, I realised that the road was very bad, and there were many trucks, buses and vehicles stuck on the road and they could not move.

“When I alighted from my car to view the portions, some of the drivers and other road users told me they had been sleeping there for five, six days to one week, sleeping on the floor with mosquitoes biting them. Some of them are on business trips carrying goods and products, some are even carrying perishable goods. They cannot deliver them, and they cannot reunite with their families.

“Moved by the ugly situation, I promised to fix the road so that it can be accessible for them, and it is the promise that I have come to fulfil today. We are not in government, but just to help the road users in our own little way. This is the road leading to Ekiti airport, and the facility has been under lock and key. The Federal Government should come to our aid.

“I am using this medium to appeal to President Bola Tinubu to look into our situation. In Ekiti State, we don’t have good roads; it is quite unfortunate. If you come through Abuja, as you can see, this road is very bad. If you come through Aramoko, it is the same thing, same story everywhere.

“Our people are suffering, there is hunger in the land, our youths are riding okada, no jobs, no electricity, no water, just like we are in the jungle, yet we have allocations every month. The state government is insensitive to the plight of the people. This is really unacceptable”, he said.

Speaking further, he added, “The state government can do some palliative works on this road (Ado – Ijan – Ikare Road) and other ones because our people are the ones using these deplorable roads, and they are the ones who are experiencing the sufferings and feeling the pains.”

A Kaduna-bound truck driver, Abdullahi Kamilu, who said his vehicle had been on the portion for an upward of four days, said, “The Federal Government should assist in fixing this road. One sachet of water here is N100. A plate of rice without meat is N1,000. With meat is N2,000. We thank Emmanuel Fayose for coming to our rescue.”

Also, another stranded truck driver heading to Abuja, Taiwo Ishola, said, “It is not easy to remain in one spot for days. I am supposed to have gotten to Abuja and returned to Lagos. We need good roads. We thank Emmanuel Fayose for bailing us out. He used his personal resources to buy these truckloads of stones to fill up these bad portions, may God bless him.”

The New Nigeria Peoples Party and the All Progressives Congress have conducted their primary elections for the forthcoming by-election for the House of Representatives, representing Garki/Babura Federal Constituency in Jigawa State.

PUNCH Online reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission scheduled August 16, 2025, for the by-election for the constituency following the death of Isa Dogon Yaro, the constituency member, on May 9, 2024.

The NNPP primary election was held on Saturday at the party’s local government secretariat in Babura, while the APC primary took place at the Duplex in Babura.

Declaring the results shortly after all the delegates completed casting their votes, the Chief Returning Officer for the NNPP primary election sent by the party, Muhammad Gako, declared Salisu Sabo the winner, saying he scored a total of 114 votes cast during the election.

“Salisu Sabo emerged as the NNPP flag bearer after winning unopposed with 114 votes,” the Chief Returning Officer said.

In his acceptance speech, Sabo promised to work with all party members and the good people of Garki/Babura constituency to enhance secondary education.

He also encouraged voters to prioritise merit and the quality of candidates who will effectively address their needs.

On the other hand, the APC primary election, held at the Duplex in Babura saw Rabiu Garki emerging as the party’s flag bearer.

Announcing the winner shortly after the primary election, the chairman of the APC Primary Election Committee, Ismaila Gadaka, declared the election peaceful, free, and fair.

He declared that Garki emerged as the party’s flag bearer as he received all 110 votes cast by delegates from the 22 wards of the constituency.

Garki, while speaking after announcing him as the flag bearer, commended Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi, party leaders, and members for placing their trust in him.

He pledged to prioritise youth employment and job creation to improve the livelihoods of his constituents, if elected.

In his remark at the occasion, the APC state chairman, Aminu Gumel, expressed satisfaction with the election’s process and conduct.

He noted that despite their confidence in winning, the APC will campaign across all 22 political wards in the constituency, assuring the people that their candidate will work in line with the APC manifesto and the administration of Governor Umar Namadi.

PUNCH Online reports that both parties in the state have emphasised the importance of working with the people and representing their interests in the National Assembly, as the by-election is expected to be a closely contested affair, with both parties vying for the support of the electorate.

The Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has cleared aspirants for its July 21, 2025, party primaries ahead of the August 16, 2025, National Assembly bye elections for Edo Central Senatorial District and Ovia Federal Constituency.

According to a statement by the Publicity Secretary of the state caretaker committee, Chris Nehikhare, on Sunday, those cleared for the Edo Central Senatorial ticket include John Yakubu, Friday Itulah, and Joe Okojie.

He noted that for the Ovia Federal Constituency seat, only one aspirant, Johnny Aikpitanyi, was cleared as the party’s sole candidate.

Festus Edogun was, however, not cleared by the party to contest for the Edo Central Senatorial District ticket.

Edogun was said to have bought the form from PDP headquarters in Abuja, and he was asked to bring the proof of purchase of the form to the appeal committee.

The aspirants were screened on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at the state party secretariat in Benin by a five-man panel appointed by the PDP National Working Committee.

The committee is chaired by Prof. Okumoko Tubo Pearce, with Chinomso Odoemelan as secretary.

Other members include Inemo Dede, Evelyn Promise, and David Omare.

Members of the committee presented the certificates of clearance to the aspirants on Friday, July 18, 2025, at the Edo PDP Secretariat.

Speaking on behalf of other aspirants, Aikpitanyi, after receiving his clearance certificate, commended members of the committee for their professionalism, diligence and fairness in the discharge of their duties.

He noted, “I want to sincerely thank members of the screening committee for their professionalism, fairness, and diligence in discharging their duties. With this clearance, we are set for the task ahead.

“I’m fully prepared to carry the PDP flag in Ovia, and with the overwhelming support of our people, we will secure victory and ensure the delivery of quality, purposeful representation to our constituents.

“I am confident of winning. Together, with the support of my people, we will make Ovia shine again, and shine even brighter.

“We will focus on grassroots development and Ovia the envy of all.”