Okpebholo should concentrate on governance and leave Obi alone

In the rich Igbo cosmology, there’s a timeless maxim: “A man must not behave like the insults his adversaries hurl at him.” In essence, when people call you a fool, you must go out of your way not to act foolishly. Unfortunately, Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State appears unaware of this wisdom, or worse, he heard it and chose to act otherwise.

Faced with swirling controversies about how he emerged as the APC governorship candidate, Okpebholo is still struggling to shake off a public perception crisis. Yet, rather than allowing his work to speak for him and rising above political jabs, the Governor has plunged headlong into an unnecessary, self-inflicted political drama. His latest misstep is publicly warning Mr. Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, not to enter Edo State without his express permission.

Governor Okpebholo’s thinly veiled paranoia was on full display when he accused Peter Obi’s supporters of causing a stampede during Obi’s recent visit to Benin. According to him, the incident led to fatalities. But like every lie that has no feet, this claim was swiftly dismantled by major national media outlets, who challenged the Governor to provide evidence of these alleged deaths. Predictably, none was forthcoming.

Videos from that day, now widely circulated, paint an entirely different picture. What Okpebholo called a “stampede” was, in fact, a spontaneous eruption of joy, song, and dance by ordinary citizens excited to catch a glimpse of a man they see as a symbol of hope. No crowd was running for safety, no emergency services were overwhelmed. It was, simply put, an organic outpouring of affection, something Governor Okpebholo is evidently unaccustomed to, having relied more on choreographed rallies and political machinery to manufacture support.

Rather than accept this reality with humility, Okpebholo has chosen to double down, lashing out in crude, undignified language unbecoming of his office. Expectedly, his rants are cheered on by political jobbers, sycophants, and recently, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, a man who himself is no stranger to political bluster. But no amount of noisy posturing can mask the underlying issue that Governor Okpebholo is deeply rattled by Obi’s effortless connection with the masses.

Those who understand political psychology will tell you that Okpebholo’s disproportionate rage stems from deep-seated fear. It is the fear of a man unsure of his legitimacy, a man who knows his “victory” is still being questioned even by his people. To see another man who holds no office enter his state and receive a hero’s welcome is, for Okpebholo, a nightmare.

His recent public lamentation, “Dem say I no go school,” betrays a gnawing inferiority complex. In his bid to assert toughness and reclaim dignity, Okpebholo now flirts dangerously with authoritarian tendencies that undermine Nigeria’s democratic ethos. He seems ready to violate fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution just to satisfy his bruised ego.

At this point, President Bola Tinubu, the Nigeria Police, and Okpebholo’s political master must intervene before the Governor’s overzealousness escalates into a full-blown constitutional crisis. His benefactor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who understands both the power of populism and the limits of hubris, must privately advise him: “Ol’ boy, no be so dem dey do am o.”

Governorship comes with responsibilities. Edo State belongs to the people, not Monday Okpebholo’s personal fiefdom. He should concentrate on delivering good governance to the Edo people, who are more interested in jobs, infrastructure, security, and economic growth than his petty vendetta against a man who is not even running for office in the state.

Governor Okpebholo must understand that leadership is not about territorial bravado. It’s about service. His current antics only serve to diminish whatever shred of public respect he might still command. The path to political redemption is simple: focus on working for the people, and stop chasing shadows.

Peter Obi is not his problem. Poor governance is.

Nwosu PhD writes Awka