“I’ll Return to Benin—Threats Are a Waste of Time” – Peter Obi Dares Governor Okpebholo

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has stated that he will return to Edo State despite threats made by Governor Monday Okpebholo regarding his safety. Obi made the remark while addressing journalists in Awka, Anambra State, where he responded to Okpebholo’s warning that his safety could not be guaranteed if he visits the state again.

Speaking after a visit to his alma mater, Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha, where he made a N50 million donation alongside other alumni, Obi dismissed the threat, saying he is unfazed and used to receiving threats from across the country. According to him, such intimidation will not deter him from continuing his mission of supporting educational and health institutions nationwide.

“Threats don’t make any meaning to me. I receive threats every day. The ones you hear about are only those that are public. If I have the opportunity to go to Benin and make donations again, trust me, I will,” Obi stated. “We should de-emphasize politics and focus on investing in people. If a community has good doctors and good nurses, the people will live better lives. What the governor should have done is to complement what I was doing, not threaten me. He should be sincerely grateful.”

Obi reiterated his commitment to philanthropy and education, revealing that he plans to visit and support other schools across Nigeria in the coming days. “I’m going to be in a school tomorrow, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Forget about the threat—it’s a waste of time,” he said.

Speaking on his donation to CKC, Obi explained that the funds would go toward building staff quarters and improving administrative facilities, an initiative inspired by a conversation with fellow old boys of the school. He encouraged Nigerians with honest means to invest in education, health, and community development. “I did not say go and steal money and donate to schools. I say it every day—those who have verifiable, honest means of livelihood should invest in schools and lift people from poverty,” he said.