By Esosa Idemudia
The Edo State Government has distanced itself from threats allegedly issued by an aide to Gov. Monday Okpebholo against opposition figures, following a viral video that triggered public outrage across Nigeria.
The aide, Emmanuel Eghogho, was seen in the video warning that opposition leaders, including Peter Obi, could face arrest and transfer to Abuja.
In a swift response, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, said the remarks did not reflect government policy or the governor’s position.
Afegbua told journalists in Benin City that the administration rejects intimidation, adding the aide’s comments were personal and subject to legal scrutiny under Nigerian law.
He said the Okpebholo administration supports political pluralism and does not condone threats, coercion, or actions aimed at suppressing opposition voices within the state’s democratic framework.
The commissioner described the video as “incendiary,” emphasizing that the government’s priority remains maintaining peace, unity, and constructive political engagement among residents of Edo State.
Public reaction to the video has been immediate, with political observers and civil society groups raising concerns about rising tensions ahead of future electoral cycles.
The controversy underscores ongoing friction between the ruling All Progressives Congress administration in Edo and opposition figures, including members of the Labour Party and African Democratic Congress.
This is not the first time the Okpebholo administration has faced allegations linked to opposition intimidation, though officials have consistently denied involvement in such incidents.
In February, the government rejected claims it orchestrated an attack on Peter Obi and other opposition leaders in Benin City, calling the allegations false and misleading.
During that incident, gunmen reportedly attacked vehicles carrying Obi and senior ADC figures after a political event, heightening concerns about political violence in the state.
State officials at the time maintained no directive was issued to target political opponents, reiterating the administration’s stance against violence regardless of political affiliation.
Opposition parties, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party, have repeatedly accused the governor of fostering a climate of intimidation and political brinkmanship.
The PDP alleged in earlier statements that threats and inflammatory rhetoric risk undermining constitutional protections and escalating instability within Edo’s political landscape.
Analysts note that recurring disputes between government and opposition actors could erode public trust if not addressed through transparent accountability mechanisms and enforcement of rule-of-law standards.
The latest episode also follows recent scrutiny of the state government over its handling of a cultural event where musician Eedris Abdulkareem criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Authorities temporarily sealed the venue after the performance before reversing the decision, a move that drew criticism from free expression advocates and political commentators.
Political analysts say the accumulation of such incidents signals a fragile operating environment where rhetoric, enforcement actions, and partisan narratives increasingly intersect.
Afegbua said the government remains committed to democratic norms, adding that opposition engagement is necessary to strengthen governance and policy outcomes in Edo State.
