The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dared the immediate past governor, Godwin Obaseki, to walk freely through the streets of Benin City and receive a rousing welcome from residents in exchange for a N50 million reward.
Prince Kassim Afegbua, a prominent APC chieftain and member of the Edo State Assets Verification Committee, made the challenge during a press briefing held at Government House, Benin City.
The event followed the inauguration of the Assets Verification Committee by Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Responding to criticisms from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) regarding the new administration’s policies, Afegbua dismissed allegations of poor governance, emphasizing that the APC government had already won the people’s trust through its initiatives.
Addressing accusations from the PDP, Afegbua stated, “The claim that our administration has shut down the e-governance platform is baseless. What they call e-governance was, in reality, e-corruption. We could not even access credible information from the previous administration.”
He also refuted allegations of thugs invading the PDP secretariat, labeling such claims as attempts to tarnish the APC’s image.
“We are focused on reviving Edo State from the underdevelopment caused by the previous administration. Our priority is delivering people-centered projects, not engaging with baseless distractions,” he added.
Afegbua highlighted the newly established Asset Verification Committee as a legitimate exercise aimed at obtaining a comprehensive status report on the state’s resources, a standard global practice.
He assured residents that the new administration remains committed to addressing the challenges left by the previous government.
In a bold remark, he challenged Obaseki to return to Benin for a street walk to test his popularity among the people.
“We are ready to pay him N50 million if he can walk freely through the streets of Benin and receive a rousing welcome,” Afegbua declared.
He accused Obaseki of orchestrating a campaign to undermine the APC administration but affirmed that such efforts would not derail the government’s focus on development.
“The people of Edo have already embraced Governor Okpebholo’s vision, and no amount of propaganda can change that,” he concluded.
