With less than 48 hours until the inauguration of Edo State’s governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the state is embroiled in an escalating political drama marked by accusations, counter-accusations, and intense public scrutiny.
As Okpebholo’s team prepares for the transition, outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki has raised concerns over alleged disregard for protocols and procedures, intensifying the standoff.
In a statement released on Sunday by Okpebholo’s representative, Godspower Inegbe, Okpebholo expressed concerns about Obaseki’s recent actions, calling attention to what he described as the outgoing governor’s “erratic” behavior and sudden absence from Edo State’s capital, Benin City.
According to the statement, Obaseki reportedly left the government house in an unconventional manner, avoiding the airport and traveling in a disguised vehicle. His disappearance, noted as ongoing for more than 72 hours, has prompted speculation and worry among Edo’s citizens, according to Okpebholo’s team. “As of Friday, November 8th, Governor Obaseki’s whereabouts remain unknown,” the statement read.
Okpebholo questioned the sudden departure, suggesting that if Obaseki held genuine public support, he would not feel the need to flee in such an unorthodox manner. Okpebholo’s camp further speculated that the outgoing governor may be attempting to divert public attention and hinted at a possible escape plan across international borders, though these claims have not been substantiated.
The confrontation has been ongoing since the September 21 gubernatorial election, in which Okpebholo emerged victorious. Obaseki, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has maintained that he was not formally invited to Okpebholo’s inauguration, scheduled for November 12.
He condemned what he termed “APC’s lawlessness,” noting that the state government traditionally oversees the inauguration process to ensure continuity and compliance with state laws.
“Somebody has to be sworn in,” Obaseki stated at a recent PDP event in Benin. “You just don’t come from nowhere and start a government. There is a way things are done. The government of Edo State is inaugurating a new governor on Tuesday. But what you are seeing now the posters, the arrangements the government of Edo State is not involved.”
Obaseki’s absence in the inauguration arrangements has left a vacuum, further complicated by his criticism of the APC-led transition process. “Are we okay as a country?” Obaseki asked, referring to the lack of consultation. “We are guided by the constitution, by laws, and by precedents.”
In response, Okpebholo dismissed Obaseki’s complaints, labeling them “laughable and absurd.” Okpebholo asserted that, since the election, Obaseki had deliberately obstructed the transition process by failing to invite him to key meetings or offer a tour of the government house. Okpebholo further accused Obaseki of clinging to a narrative aimed at undermining his administration’s legitimacy and creating confusion among Edo citizens.
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“Since I was declared the winner, Obaseki has done everything possible to frustrate the transition process. He has neither invited me for discussions nor offered a tour of the Government House,” Okpebholo alleged. He asserted that Edo voters decisively rejected Obaseki’s administration and accused the governor of fostering a “satanic government” through a “glorified stooge,” referring to Obaseki’s ally, Asue Ighodalo.
Okpebholo also issued a stern warning to Obaseki regarding potential legal repercussions once the governor’s immunity lapses. “Although I am a man of peace, I will not stand by while he continues to distort the truth. When his immunity ends, Obaseki will be held accountable for his statements in court,” he declared.
Despite the heightened tension, Okpebholo urged the people of Edo to focus on the future and embrace the incoming administration as an opportunity for growth and development.
“Obaseki should face the reality of his administration’s failures, account for the funds misappropriated, and apologize for the stagnation of progress over the past eight years,” he stated.
Okpebholo assured the citizens that his administration would bring positive change and urged them to rally behind his government.
The political intrigues and verbal exchanges between the outgoing and incoming governors reflect a deeper rift in Edo’s political landscape. Observers worry that the ongoing conflict might affect the peaceful transfer of power on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Obaseki’s statements underscore his discontent with the APC’s approach, as he continues to question the legitimacy and transparency of the process.
As Edo State braces for the scheduled power exchange, all eyes are on the unfolding political drama, and the question remains whether this transition will proceed smoothly or if further complications will arise.
With both camps unwilling to back down, Edo’s people find themselves caught in the midst of a power struggle that has already left a cloud of uncertainty over the state’s governance.
