Edo State Governor-elect Senator Monday Okpebholo has voiced concerns over what he calls the “bizarre public displays” of outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki, claiming that Obaseki has effectively vanished from the state.
In a statement released to news outlets on Sunday and signed by Godspower Inegbe, Okpebholo noted that the people of Edo are worried about Obaseki’s reckless comments and urged him to reflect on his mental state.
The Governor-elect raised alarms regarding Obaseki’s whereabouts, alleging that he fled Benin City, the capital of Edo State, in a disguised bus. According to the statement, Obaseki cleared out everyone from the Government House on Friday before disappearing to an undisclosed location over 72 hours prior to his official departure from office.
The statement continued, suggesting that Obaseki’s claims were attempts to divert attention from his alleged plans to exit the country via land borders.
“As of Friday, November 8, Obaseki’s location is unknown. He has expelled everyone from the Edo State Government House and abandoned his responsibilities, effectively going into hiding.
“He escaped through the roads out of Benin instead of using the airport. If he is as popular as he claims, why not take a flight? Instead, he hired a disguised bus for his escape from Edo State.
“Obaseki is attempting to deflect public attention with these narratives. His antics will not succeed; we are aware of his intentions and will continue to reveal the truth to the people of Edo,” the statement read.
In response, Obaseki claimed on Saturday that Senator Okpebholo did not invite him to his inauguration scheduled for next Tuesday, asserting that the outgoing governor has accused him of stealing the mandate granted to him by the people of Edo.
Okpebholo refuted these claims, affirming that he won the election convincingly and expects the tribunal to validate his victory soon. He insisted that Obaseki would not escape the consequences of his reckless statements.
“Obaseki will not evade accountability for this misrepresentation. Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Governor-elect of Edo State, won the governorship election on September 21.
“Obaseki is still grappling with the defeat and struggling to accept reality. The people of Edo rejected the prospect of Obaseki’s continued governance through his chosen successor, Asue Ighodalo,” he stated.
Okpebholo accused Obaseki of attempting to influence the ongoing tribunal proceedings through false claims, predicting that these efforts would ultimately fail.
“The Peoples Democratic Party is already disputing the election results in court. We are concerned that Obaseki is trying to preempt the tribunal’s outcome with baseless allegations.
“Obaseki’s unfounded claims will not hold up. The PDP and its candidate, Ighodalo, lack a solid case against Senator Okpebholo, and the tribunal will soon confirm this,” he said.
Okpebholo warned Obaseki to cease making false claims, indicating that there could be serious repercussions if he does not.
He reminded Obaseki that he would soon lose his immunity, which would expose him to legal actions if he continues with his misrepresentation.
“While Senator Okpebholo is committed to peace, we cannot sit idly by while he distorts the reality of the events surrounding the September 21 election.
“If Obaseki persists with his unfounded allegations, he will soon face the full force of the law once he loses his immunity,” Okpebholo cautioned.
Responding to Obaseki’s assertion that he was not invited to the inauguration, Okpebholo described the claim as laughable and nonsensical. He remarked that since winning the election, Obaseki has made every effort to obstruct a seamless transition of power.
“The statement made by Obaseki regarding the lack of an invitation to the inauguration is not only laughable but also questionable. Since Senator Okpebholo’s victory, Obaseki has actively sought to hinder a peaceful transfer of power.
“As a sitting governor, Obaseki should inform the people of Edo and Nigeria if he has ever invited the Governor-elect for a meeting or tour of the Government House. Has he even congratulated Senator Okpebholo since the election?
“Obaseki should reflect on his actions, account for the billions that have been mismanaged, and apologize to the people of Edo for his failure to advance the state’s development over the last eight years.
“We urge the people of Edo to ignore Obaseki’s reckless statements and rally behind Senator Okpebholo’s incoming administration to correct the missteps of the previous government.”
