Fijabi Olanrewaju
MUM was the keyword of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as to the whereabouts of the outgoing governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki; this is even as the party urged the governor-elect to focus on his wasteful inauguration ceremony and his alleged diabolical obsession with Obaseki.
A statement issued and signed by the Publicity Secretary of the Edo State chapter of the PDP, Chris Osa Nehikhare, in response to an allegation by the governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, that Mr Obaseki had fled the country, was loudly silent on the whereabouts of the governor less than 72 hours to the expiration of his tenure.
A statement released by Okpebholo’s media aide, Godspower Inegbe, on Sunday expressed public concern over what he described as Obaseki’s “reckless statements.” The governor-elect noted that Obaseki’s recent movements raised questions, claiming he fled Benin City on Friday in a covert manner, using a disguised bus.
The statement further alleged that Obaseki ordered the Government House evacuated on Friday before leaving for an undisclosed destination, more than three days before his tenure ended.
“By Friday, 8 November, Obaseki’s whereabouts were unknown. He cleared out the Government House, abandoned governance, and left by road transport rather than the airport. If he is as popular as he claims, why avoid the airport? He opted for a bus and left Edo State under disguise,” the statement read.
On Saturday, Obaseki asserted that he was not invited to Okpebholo’s inauguration. Okpebholo’s statement also accused Obaseki of mishandling public funds during his term.
According to Okpebholo, “Obaseki claims Senator Monday Okpebholo stole the mandate given to him by the people. In an attempt to change the narrative, he is creating a dangerous precedent.”
Okpebholo affirmed his election win and said the tribunal would uphold the result, stating that Obaseki would be held accountable for his statements.
“The governor-elect won the September 21 election decisively, and Edo voters rejected the proposed continuation of Obaseki’s administration through his ally, Asue Ighodalo,” he added.
Okpebholo claimed that Obaseki’s recent comments aimed to influence the tribunal’s judgment on the ongoing electoral case. However, he expressed confidence that Obaseki’s efforts would fail.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is contesting the election result in court. Obaseki appears to be attempting to sway the tribunal’s outcome with repeated false claims. But the PDP’s case will not stand,” Okpebholo stated.
He cautioned Obaseki against further misrepresentation, reminding him of potential consequences once his immunity expires.
“Senator Okpebholo is a man of peace, but we won’t allow the truth of 21; September 21 to be misrepresented. When his immunity ends, Obaseki will have to face the law if he continues with his baseless accusations,” Okpebholo’s statement concluded.
However, the PDP while rejecting the assertion said It is quite shameful that despite the civility with which the Edo State governor handled the transition of government, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Monday Okpebholo, have continued in their diabolical obsession with the governor, dragging him into their wasteful inauguration ceremony, which Edo people cannot afford.
“The APC and its leadership have consistently shown insensitivity to the plight of the people. Hence, at a time when citizens of the state and country are struggling with high living costs and economic hardship brought on by the poorly thought-out policies and gross mismanagement of the economy by its government at the centre, the party in Edo State is planning to lavish state funds on the inauguration ceremony of a government whose legitimacy is seriously being contested.
“Their interest at this time should be prioritising expenditures that sustain and improve upon the achievements of the outgoing, performing governor when they get into government, but they seem more concerned with spending over N10 billion on an inauguration ceremony that shouldn’t ordinarily cost more than N200 million. What a waste of resources! No wonder many people in Edo State have declared the ceremony the November 12th Heist!
“The APC, their economic buccaneers, as well as their lions and tigers, should focus on their wasteful inauguration ceremony and stop acting like a jilted lover obsessed with a former partner. Or why else are they dragging Obaseki, who has, for the past eight years, prioritised projects and reforms that have restored hope for the people and placed the state on the path of growth and economic prosperity, into their inauguration balderdash?
“The Obaseki-led administration has set a standard of governance that values economic prudence and people-centred development, and any leader who truly loves the people and is committed to working for them must uphold and advance these principles rather than sacrificing the people’s welfare and progress for wasteful ceremonies and extravaganzas”, the PDP stated.
Eighteen-Eleven Media