Former Edo State commissioner, Kassim Afegbua, has defended Governor Monday Okpebholo’s criticism of Peter Obi’s recent visit to the state, insisting that the Labour Party (LP) leader breached political protocol by failing to inform the governor beforehand.
Afegbua, in an opinion he wrote on Sunday, argued that Obi, as a former governor and presidential candidate, should have extended the courtesy of notifying the state’s chief executive before holding a public event in Edo.
He also placed partial blame on the rector of Saint Philomena School of Nursing, where Obi addressed students, for allowing what he described as an “unnecessary political distraction” during school hours.
“Governor Okpebholo was absolutely right to call out Peter Obi on this matter,” Afegbua said. “When a high-profile opposition figure enters a state without notifying the governor, it is not just a slight against the office but also a potential security risk.
If anything had gone wrong—a stampede, an attack, or any unrest—who would have been held responsible? Obi knows better; he was a governor himself. This was a clear oversight.” Afegbua further criticised the school’s management for permitting what he termed a “political rally” during academic hours, questioning why students were pulled out of classes to attend. “The rector should have known better. Schools are for learning, not partisan gatherings,” he added.
The controversy stems from Obi’s visit to the Catholic-owned institution last week, where he spoke to students and made donations. Governor Okpebholo later expressed displeasure over the lack of prior notice, stating that such visits required coordination with the state government for security and logistical reasons. Afegbua echoed this sentiment, recalling how former President Olusegun Obasanjo, during a private visit to Edo under the Adams Oshiomhole administration, still paid a courtesy call to the governor as a mark of respect. “That is how it should be done,” Afegbua said. “Politics should not erase common courtesy.”
Afegbua’s intervention adds to the growing debate over political decorum and the obligations of opposition figures when engaging in cross-state activities. He dismissed claims that Okpebholo’s stance was politically motivated, arguing that the governor’s primary concern was maintaining order in a state grappling with cultism and security challenges. “Edo does not need needless distractions,” Afegbua said. “If Obi’s visit was purely altruistic, he should have coordinated with the governor. Coming in unannounced and donating ‘shishi’ while disregarding protocol only raises questions about his intentions.”
The political strategist also referenced Obi’s past encounter with former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, who accused Obi of detaining him for 48 hours during an election period in Anambra. “Did El-Rufai not have the right to free movement then? Obi understood the importance of control when he was in power. Why is it different now?” Afegbua queried. He emphasised that opposition politics should not equate to hostility, noting that healthy democracy thrives on mutual respect.
Critics of Okpebholo’s position have argued that Obi, as a private citizen, should not require government clearance for visits, especially to private institutions. However, Afegbua countered that Obi’s status as a national political figure necessitates adherence to protocol. “This is not about suppressing opposition voices,” he said. “It is about ensuring that the state is aware of high-profile movements within its territory. Even Obasanjo, as a former president, follows this practice. Why should Obi be an exception?”
Afegbua further warned that disregarding such norms could set a dangerous precedent. “If every politician decides to storm states without notice, it will breed chaos. The governor is the chief security officer; he cannot be kept in the dark about activities that could impact public order,” he stated. He urged Obi’s supporters—the “Obidient” movement—to separate partisan loyalty from institutional respect, stressing that democracy functions best when rules are observed.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party has dismissed the protocol dispute as a non-issue, with one party official describing it as “an attempt by the APC-led state government to stifle opposition visibility.” Afegbua, however, maintained that the matter was purely about due process. “This is not APC versus LP,” he said. “It is about safeguarding due process. Next time, Obi should do the right thing: inform the governor.”
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