Edo State Governor-Elect Senator Monday Okpebholo has alleged that the outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki fled Nigeria through the land borders, just days before the expiration of his tenure. This claim, made in a statement released on Sunday and signed by Okpebholo's media aide, Godspower Inegbe, has ignited concerns across the state regarding Obaseki’s sudden disappearance from public view.
According to Okpebholo, Obaseki reportedly left Benin City, the Edo State capital, on Friday under mysterious circumstances, opting for a disguised bus rather than the usual airport departure. The statement accuses the outgoing governor of clearing out the Government House before making his escape to an undisclosed location, raising suspicion and leaving citizens concerned about the abrupt abandonment of state governance just 72 hours before his official exit.
The statement further asserts that Obaseki’s departure through a land route, rather than a high-profile airport exit, contradicts his previous claims of popularity. “If he is as popular as he claims, why did he not use the airport to leave? Instead, he disguised and used a bus to escape from Edo State,” the statement reads, suggesting that Obaseki’s intentions may be rooted in a desire to evade accountability.
Adding to these concerns, Okpebholo’s statement accuses Obaseki of trying to distract the public with statements meant to shift focus away from his alleged escape plans. Okpebholo described the outgoing governor’s recent comments as reckless, designed to sway public attention at a critical time in Edo’s transition of power.
The allegations have not been without controversy, as Obaseki on Saturday asserted that Okpebholo did not extend an invitation for him to attend the inauguration ceremony scheduled for Tuesday. Okpebholo, however, challenged this claim, accusing Obaseki of misappropriating state funds during his tenure and seeking to alter public perception of the September 21 election outcome.
As the September election results remain a point of contention, with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) contesting the validity of Okpebholo’s win, Okpebholo defended his victory and urged Obaseki to refrain from making “false claims.” He emphasized that the allegations made by Obaseki hold no weight and predicted that the tribunal will validate the election results in his favor. Okpebholo also warned that Obaseki’s immunity will soon lapse, leaving him vulnerable to legal repercussions if he continues to issue unfounded statements.
“The outgoing governor’s baseless claims will not alter the tribunal’s course, and Obaseki’s attempt to influence its outcome will fail,” Okpebholo stated firmly. In his view, Edo’s electorate decisively rejected Obaseki’s political continuity, which he referred to as a “satanic government” that the people had already denounced.
Senator Okpebholo concluded by warning that the new administration would hold the outgoing governor accountable should his allegations persist beyond his tenure. Although he affirmed his commitment to a peaceful governance transition, Okpebholo underscored that he would not allow misinformation to distort the recent electoral outcome, which he views as a clear mandate from the people of Edo State.
