Reactions have continued to trail the visit of Nigerian Democratic Congress presidential candidate and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, to Edo State, months after Governor Monday Okpebholo warned him against entering the state without prior notification and official security clearance.
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Obi arrived in Benin City, the Edo State capital, on Wednesday to join Catholic faithful, clergymen, political figures and other dignitaries participating in the funeral activities of the late Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City, Most Rev. Augustine Obiora Akubeze.
His visit attracted considerable attention after videos circulating on social media showed a large crowd of residents and supporters gathering along the streets at night as his convoy proceeded towards the Holy Cross Cathedral.
Hundreds of people were seen cheering, taking photographs and attempting to move closer to the former Anambra governor as his convoy made its way through parts of Benin City.
The turnout quickly revived public discussion over Okpebholo’s earlier warning to Obi.
@thenigerialawyer“Dear Okpebholo, Obi Is In Edo” — Reactions Trail Large Turnout As Peter Obi Visits Benin For Archbishop Akubeze’s Funeral Despite Governor’s Earlier Warning
On July 18, 2025, the Edo governor had warned Obi against visiting the state without prior notification and official security clearance.
The warning attracted criticism at the time, with some Nigerians arguing that Obi, like every Nigerian citizen, was constitutionally entitled to travel freely to any part of the country.
Obi’s latest arrival in Edo consequently triggered fresh reactions online, with several commentators drawing attention to the governor’s previous remarks and questioning what they described as his silence following the visit.
Popular television presenter Rufai Oseni reacted on his X account, writing: “Dear Okpebholo, Obi is in Edo oooo.”
Social media commentator Benkingsley Nwashara said Obi had arrived without any public announcement of a political rally but still attracted a large number of residents after information about his presence spread.
“Word quickly spread that Obi was in town. Edo youths left their homes at night, gathered in large numbers, and turned up to welcome and celebrate him.
“No campaign announcement. No mobilisation. They simply heard Peter Obi was around and showed up,” he wrote.
Another social media user, Manju Vic, also referenced the governor’s previous warning, writing: “Hello Nigerians, D7 told Peter Obi not to set foot in Edo.
“Peter Obi went to Benin, walked through the streets, and hundreds of people came out to give him a triumphant entry.”
An X user identified as Freeman also described the reception as enthusiastic, claiming the crowd around Obi temporarily slowed his movement into the venue.
“The crowd was so excited to see him. Many people gathered around, taking pictures and trying to get close to him.
“It even took Peter Obi some time to enter the venue because of the huge crowd. This man is really loved,” he wrote.
Other social media posts similarly described the gathering as spontaneous, with some supporters portraying the turnout as evidence of Obi’s continuing popularity.
One supporter wrote that Obi merely stepped onto the streets and residents came out to greet him, while another described the gathering as significant because it occurred at night without an announced political campaign.
Another social media post questioned whether Governor Okpebholo was aware that Obi was in Edo State, while videos from the event also showed the governor attending the vigil Mass held in honour of the late Archbishop Akubeze.
Despite the political reactions generated by Obi’s presence, the primary purpose of his visit was the funeral programme for the late Catholic Archbishop.
Obi attended the service of songs alongside Catholic faithful, clergymen and other dignitaries paying their final respects to Most Rev. Akubeze.
The large turnout surrounding his arrival, however, turned the visit into a major talking point on social media, particularly because of the controversy generated by Okpebholo’s earlier warning that Obi should not visit Edo State without notifying the government and obtaining appropriate security clearance.
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