Concerned by the recent remarks and actions of former Governor Godwin Obaseki, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the governor-elect of Edo State, has claimed that Obaseki has escaped Benin City in a disguised bus.
According to a statement released by Okpebholo’s spokesperson, Godspower Inegbe, on Sunday, Okpebholo voiced the concerns of Edo residents about Obaseki’s public remarks and suggested that Obaseki assess his well-being.
Okpebholo claims that Obaseki emptied the Government House on Friday and left for an undisclosed location ahead of his official departure from office.
The statement also implied that Obaseki might be attempting to evade attention by planning a covert exit from the country via land borders. “As of Friday, November 8, Obaseki’s whereabouts are unknown.
He has vacated the Government House and left governance responsibilities behind. He exited Benin in a private bus instead of going through the airport. If he truly has public support, why choose this discreet means of departure?” the statement said.
Okpebholo added that Obaseki’s statements serve only to mislead the public, stressing that such tactics will not succeed.
Obaseki, on his part, has accused Okpebholo of not inviting him to the upcoming inauguration and of undermining his administration’s accomplishments. Obaseki also claimed that Okpebholo “stole” the people’s mandate.
In response, Okpebholo dismissed Obaseki’s accusations as unfounded and emphasized that he won the election fairly, noting that the election tribunal would soon verify this result.
Okpebholo went on to warn Obaseki against continuing these allegations, pointing out that once he loses immunity, he will face legal consequences for spreading false information.
Okpebholo stated, “Although I am a man of peace, I won’t allow Obaseki to misrepresent the outcome of the September 21 election. If he persists, he will answer for these claims in court.”
Additionally, Okpebholo found Obaseki’s comment about not being invited to the inauguration laughable, suggesting that Obaseki had done everything possible to obstruct a smooth transition.
He questioned why, as the outgoing governor, Obaseki never invited him for discussions or a tour of the Government House.
Okpebholo urged the people of Edo to disregard Obaseki’s statements and to support the incoming administration in addressing the state’s challenges, emphasizing that Obaseki should apologize for any misuse of public funds and underperformance during his tenure.