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The governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has dismissed the political strength of ex-presidential candidate Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 general elections, claiming that the former Anambra governor cannot deliver his home state.

Okpebholo, who spoke as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Thursday, said the dynamics that shaped previous elections would not repeat themselves.

“What should I be afraid of them when I’m doing what the people want? Look at him in his state. Can he even deliver his state? What happened in the past [2023] cannot happen now, because you have a working governor in Edo State, and people love him,” he said.

The governor also addressed concerns about his remarks following Obi’s visit to Edo, which reportedly did not go as planned. Okpebholo maintained that he intended to ensure the opposition figure’s safety, citing security concerns.

“I only told Obi last time; I said, ‘Please, whenever you are coming, because of the hostile environment in this state… when you want to come, let me know so that I will provide you with security.’ Where did I go wrong? I’m trying to protect him,” he said.

The governor added that, as a “VIP”, Obi required adequate protection, stressing that informing the state government would enable proper coordination with security agencies.

On national politics, the governor strongly defended President Bola Tinubu, describing him as “the most popular person right now in Nigeria” and attributing recent defections of governors to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the administration’s performance.

“If the president is not doing well, I don’t think all those governors will move to the APC,” he said, adding that, “Nobody told them to come. They decided to come… we have never had it this good.”

Okpebholo argued that the Tinubu administration had taken bold decisions that previous governments avoided, particularly the removal of the fuel subsidy.

“Did you know there are so many tough decisions taken by this president that no man has been able to take in this country that is benefiting Nigeria today? Let’s talk about the removal of the fuel subsidy. Who could have the courage to do that?” he asked.

Responding to criticism from opposition figures over economic hardship and insecurity, the governor dismissed their concerns, suggesting they were unwilling to acknowledge progress.

“These people… believe that if they are not the ones doing it, then nobody is doing it right,” he said.

Okpebholo insisted that the current administration remains on course and expressed confidence that President Tinubu would secure a second term, citing what he described as growing support across states.

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The presidency has fired back at former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for his comments about President Bola Tinubu’s government on rising public debt and borrowings.

Peter Obi, in a statement on Thursday, noted that countries should not borrow recklessly without a clear path to repayment through productive investment.

He, however, lamented that most of the borrowings by the Tinubu administration do not satisfy the requirements of the law or economic common sense.

The former Governor of Anambra State made the submission in response to the recent declaration by President Tinubu that debt is not leprosy.

However, Obi submitted that borrowing can both be a leprosy and a killer cancer if not done for the right reasons and properly managed.

He expressed concerns that Nigeria is borrowing for consumption and not production.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain charged the Tinubu government to ensure borrowings work for the Nigerian people, not just to defend or justify them.

In response, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, countered Peter Obi’s claims on borrowing, stressing that every sovereign nation takes loans.

Responding to the post, Onanuga wrote: “Mr Peter Obi, you’re bringing up the same old arguments again with your sensationalist approach.

“What are you trying to say about borrowing? Every sovereign nation borrows money, and as President Tinubu correctly pointed out, borrowing is not a disease.

“If you really want to know, the government has been taking loans to pay for important infrastructure projects, not to spend on everyday things.

“The fact that we are getting money and have lenders who are willing to lend shows that our country is trustworthy and able to pay back the money.

“As a politician, you need to go beyond basic thinking and deal with today’s problems using calm reasoning, not by reacting with strong emotions on the streets or online.”

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said the Supreme Court judgment on the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has effectively ended internal wrangling within the party.

Wike made the remarks while addressing journalists at his residence in Abuja.

The former Rivers State governor maintained that the apex court ruling has settled issues surrounding factional divisions in the party.

“The PDP is one. The judgment has put to rest reactions of factions within the party,” he said.

Wike also commented on the leadership situation within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), noting that the matter remains unresolved.

“The Supreme Court referred the ADC back to the Federal High Court. The ADC is still in problem,” he added.

The minister further expressed reservations about certain individuals in the political space, clarifying that his position is not against political parties themselves.

“Not that I don’t like the party, I hate the individuals involved. I don’t like them. They are part of the people that have plunged Nigeria into problems,” Wike said.