Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has responded to a statement allegedly made by Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, suggesting that Obi must seek clearance before visiting the state.
Speaking during a ₦50 million donation to his alma mater, Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha, on Thursday, Obi dismissed the remark, stating that he is not intimidated by political rhetoric and is free to visit any part of the country.
“I am not afraid of visiting any state in Nigeria, particularly when the purpose is to support causes that contribute to nation-building, such as education, health, and poverty alleviation,” he said.
Obi explained that his recent visit to Benin was purely humanitarian and should not have been politicized.
“I went to Benin to invest in a better life for the people. If they have good doctors and nurses, life will be better for them. What I expect the governor to do is to complement efforts aimed at improving society,” he added.
The ₦50 million donation to CKC was made in collaboration with other Old Boys of the school, aimed at supporting infrastructure and improving the learning environment. Founded in 1932, CKC boasts of notable alumni including former Rivers State Governor Dr. Peter Odili, and former Anambra Governors Peter Obi and Willie Obiano.
Obi described the donation as an expression of gratitude to the institution that shaped him and many others.
“This school helped form the values I and many others still hold dear today — discipline, moral grounding, and academic excellence. Supporting it is a way of giving back,” he said.
He also encouraged other alumni across the country to take up the responsibility of supporting their former schools, stressing that the development of education must not be left to government alone.
Receiving the donation, the Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, himself an Old Boy of CKC, praised Obi and others for their unwavering commitment to education and national development.
He offered prayers for the donors and called on others to emulate their generosity.
The school’s Senior Prefect, Master Ejike Ekene, expressed heartfelt appreciation on behalf of the students, describing Obi as “a role model and an inspiration.”
