Edo State’s political landscape took a dramatic turn as the state’s governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, alleged that outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki has fled Nigeria via land borders just days before his tenure ends.
In an unexpected twist, Okpebholo claims that Obaseki, anticipating the expiration of his immunity on Tuesday, left Benin City, Edo’s capital, under the cover of secrecy and is now nowhere to be found.
The senator’s statement, released by his media aide, Godspower Inegbe, outlines a series of allegations, each painting a tense picture of a governor supposedly abandoning his post and state responsibilities.
On Sunday, Okpebholo’s statement expressed deep concern about Obaseki’s "reckless statements" in recent weeks, with Obaseki having alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) planned to arrest him as soon as his tenure expired.
According to Okpebholo’s claims, these statements are part of a larger strategy by Obaseki to distract Edo’s citizens from his escape plans.
The details of Obaseki’s alleged exit are as elaborate as they are alarming.
Okpebholo alleges that Obaseki, on Friday, forced all personnel out of the Government House in Benin City before secretly leaving the premises himself.
Notably, Obaseki is accused of taking unconventional steps to ensure his exit was under the radar, reportedly opting for a disguised bus and skipping a flight departure, to avoid drawing attention.
This behavior, Okpebholo insists, is at odds with Obaseki’s prior public persona as a “popular leader.”
"If he is as popular as he claims, why did he not use the airport to escape?" Okpebholo’s statement reads, accusing Obaseki of both deception and cowardice.
The statement goes further to assert that Obaseki’s recent public comments are part of a ploy to divert attention from his alleged flight.
“Obaseki is trying to push out these narratives in order to distract the public.
His antics will not work.
We know his plans, and we will continue to expose his shenanigans to Edo people,” the statement asserted.
Further heightening tensions, Okpebholo also claimed that Obaseki has mismanaged public funds during his time as governor.
Accusations of this nature have been contentious and frequent, with Obaseki maintaining his stance that the upcoming administration lacks a legitimate mandate.
Obaseki has alleged that Okpebholo stole the election mandate, a claim Okpebholo has firmly rejected, referring to Obaseki’s accusations as attempts to distort the truth.
The governor-elect pointedly dismissed Obaseki’s allegations, stating, “According to the unpopular outgoing governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo stole the mandate freely given to him by Edo people.
In his usual myopic mind, he wants to change the narratives and set a dangerous precedence.”
In Okpebholo’s view, his victory in the September election reflects the will of Edo voters, which he asserts was a decisive rejection of Obaseki’s political approach.
The fallout between the two leaders is only further complicated by an ongoing court challenge by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) concerning the election results.
This court case looms large, as Obaseki’s recent comments are interpreted by Okpebholo as attempts to sway the tribunal’s decisions by casting a shadow over the legitimacy of the election results.
Okpebholo declared, “The Peoples Democratic Party is already challenging the outcome of the election in court.
We are therefore worried that Obaseki is in a hurry to pre-empt the outcome of the tribunal by repeatedly making false claims."
The governor-elect remains confident that the tribunal will validate his victory and dismiss Obaseki’s complaints as baseless.
In a strong rebuke, he warned Obaseki to cease these allegations, indicating that Obaseki’s post-immunity status could subject him to legal consequences if the inflammatory statements persist.
Okpebholo’s statement made clear his stance that any further “misrepresentation” from Obaseki could result in severe repercussions.
Although he described himself as “a man of peace,” Okpebholo emphasized that the rule of law would be upheld in holding Obaseki accountable if his accusations continued.
He cautioned that Obaseki, soon to lose the legal protections of his office, could face the “full wrath of the law.”
In his statement, he warned, “If he continues to make his baseless claims, he will face the full wrath of the law very soon and he will prove his unfounded allegations when he is dragged to court.”
As Edo State stands on the brink of a new chapter, these developments signal a turbulent handover, with a significant number of questions left unanswered.
Okpebholo’s allegations, if accurate, imply a high-stakes exit by a former governor who feared the aftermath of his tenure.
For the people of Edo, the upcoming days could reveal new depths to this political drama as they await the swearing-in of their new governor, Senator Okpebholo, who has vowed to “expose” his predecessor’s alleged actions and prioritize transparency in governance.
With Tuesday’s inauguration drawing close, Edo citizens remain watchful, hoping for stability and clarity amidst the accusations and uncertainties.
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