The Edo State Government, on Monday, dismissed allegations by the immediate past Governor of the State, Godwin Obaseki, that his successor, Governor Monday Okpebholo, threatened him and prevented him from entering Benin City as false and politically-motivated.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua on Monday, the government insisted that no one was chasing or intimidating the former governor as he erroneously claimed.

According to the statement, Governor Okpebholo merely remarked during an interview that Obaseki had become “unpopular” in the state and might find it difficult to return publicly to Benin City.

“Godwin Obaseki has become an outcast barely a year after leaving office, and his deeds are chasing him around,” Afegbua said.

“We are not in the business of threatening anybody. Every Edo son and daughter is our pride, including the former governor who has turned himself into a fugitive.”

The Edo government accused the former governor of engaging in actions that isolated him from the people, including claims that he left office without providing a formal handover note, jammed” key e-governance platforms before leaving office, used intimidation during the 2024 governorship election, failed to manage state institutions effectively and showing disrespect to the Oba of Benin and mismanaging the proposed Benin Royal Museum project.

The statement also recalled past political tensions, alleging that Obaseki’s administration was linked to violent incidents, including an attack on Okpebholo—then a senator—at the Benin Airport, during which a police orderly was killed. Obaseki has previously denied involvement in such incidents.

Afegbua insisted that Obaseki’s assertion of being barred from entering Benin was a misrepresentation.

“What Governor Okpebholo said was that Obaseki has become so unpopular that contemplating a visit to Benin City would be a tall order. What is in Obaseki that anyone should fear?” he stated.

The government further argued that Obaseki’s political influence had waned, noting that his preferred candidate in the last election lost despite his incumbency at the time.

The Okpebholo administration contrasted its performance with Obaseki’s eight-year tenure, claiming that the current government has initiated significant infrastructural development.

It further described some of Obaseki’s past projects as “dubious” and more focused on appearances than substance.

According to the statement, ongoing projects under the Okpebholo administration include: the construction of the state’s first flyovers at Ramat Park and Adesuwa Junction, rehabilitation of several public schools in Oredo Local Government, including Oredo Girls Secondary School, New Era Secondary School, and Army Day Secondary School. (Daily Independent)

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