Political leaders and other critical stakeholders from Edo State have raised the alarm over alleged deliberate moves by Governor Godwin Obaseki’s outgoing administration to create problems for the incoming Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
Media reports in the last few weeks have revealed moves by Obaseki to undermine the incoming administration of Okpebholo, with last-minute recruitment into the State’s civil service, award of contracts, and appointments into agencies and boards.
The leaders, drawn from the three Senatorial Districts of the State, warned that if Obaseki doesn’t stop his deliberate “manipulation and ungodly acts,” they will be forced to confront him.
Speaking through a pro-democracy group, Initiative for Democratic Advancement and Free Speech, the leaders said Obaseki has lost touch with reality since his candidate, Asue Ighodalo, lost the governorship election to the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Okpebholo.
The organisation’s executive director, Patrick Osaigbovo, who hails from Edo South and is the director of Research; Andrew Isewele from Edo Central; and Kamaru Momoh, Director of Mobilisation from Edo North, said the incoming administration of Senator Okpebholo would disregard any action by Obaseki since 21 September 2024.
The leaders wondered why Obaseki, who enjoyed a smooth transition from Adams Oshiomhole’s administration in 2016, has vowed to make Edo State ungovernable for the incoming Governor, who won the last election through a popular vote.
Osaigbovo, Isiwele and Momoh, in the statement, called on the Oba of Benin, His Imperial Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II, other traditional rulers in the State, religious leaders, as well as political stakeholders, to prevail on Obaseki to stop his deliberate plans or face the severe consequences.
They also called on the various anti-graft agencies in the country, the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies, to arrest members of Obaseki’s administration, who are allegedly stealing property belonging to the State.
Part of the statement reads: “Edo leaders and political stakeholders are surprised by Governor Godwin Obaseki’s recent actions. He has completely lost it since the man he dubiously anointed to succeed him, Asue Ighodalo, lost out during the elections.
“Obaseki, since then, has been creating problems for the incoming administration of Senator Monday Okpebholo. How can a Governor with less than three weeks to vacate office be making appointments, awarding contracts, and recruiting people into the State’s civil service?
“Some supporters of Obaseki’s administration have been accused of stealing assets and property belonging to the Edo State Government. There are videos to back up these claims. This is very strange to Edo people.
“Since Obaseki is unwilling to use his commonsense, we’ll resist him. We’re using this opportunity to call on the Inspector-General of Police to order his officers and men to arrest administration supporters who are stealing government property.
“We’re also calling on the various anti-graft agencies in the country to place Obaseki and his people on watchlist so that they can’t leave the country. They must recover all the funds stolen from the confers of Edo State.”
