Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has made it clear that he will not be discouraged from visiting Edo State despite a recent warning from Governor Monday Okpebholo regarding his safety.
Obi made this known while speaking with journalists in Awka. He responded to the governor’s remarks, which implied that Obi might not be safe if he returns to the state. Obi, however, dismissed the threat, saying he faces such situations regularly and will not be intimidated.
“Threats don’t make any meaning to me. I receive threats every day. Do you know how many times I have been threatened all over Nigeria? I receive threats every day actually. The ones you know about were because it was vocal, but I will not be afraid,” he said.
He added that he will not hesitate to go back to Benin if the opportunity arises, especially to support initiatives that benefit the people.
“If I have the opportunity to go to Benin and make donations again, trust me, I will. I have always said that we should de-emphasize politics and think more of how to invest in the people. I went to Benin to invest in people because if they have good doctors, good nurses, they will have a better life.”
Obi also expressed disappointment over the governor’s stance, suggesting that the state leader should have shown appreciation instead of hostility.
“What the governor should have done is to complement what I was doing in his state instead of threatening me. He should be sincerely grateful.”
He emphasized that his efforts to support education and healthcare across Nigeria will continue uninterrupted.
“I’m in school today to make a donation. I’m going to be in school somewhere in Nigeria tomorrow too. I’m going to be in school on Saturday, I’m going to be in school on Sunday and even on Monday. Forget about the threat, it’s a waste of time,” Obi said.
During his visit to Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha, his former school, Obi presented a ₦50 million donation. He noted that the donation was a joint effort between himself and other alumni.
Explaining the purpose behind the gesture, Obi shared that he spoke with a few former students about the school’s infrastructure needs and they agreed to help.
“I say it every day that those who have verifiable honest means of livelihood should endeavour to invest in schools, invest in society, invest in health, lift people from poverty and empower others. I did not say go and steal money and donate to schools.”
“I just spoke to one or two old boys of this school that we don’t have teachers’ quarters, we don’t have staff quarters and administrative blocks and they decided to donate. That is what people should be doing,” he concluded.
