Edo State Governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpeboro has expressed concern over outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki’s erratic behavior in public and what he described as his sudden disappearance from the state.
In a statement released on Sunday and signed by the Divine Power Inegbe, Okpebolo said many Edo residents are troubled by Obaseki’s recent actions and are questioning his mental state. expressed.
According to the statement, Obaseki has been missing for more than 72 hours after fleeing from Benin, the state capital, in a disguised bus.
“As of Friday, November 8, Governor Obaseki’s whereabouts remain unknown. He wiped out the Edo government, abandoned his duties, and fled by land instead of using the airport. He is not as popular as he claims to be. If so, why resort to such workarounds?” Mr Okpebolo said.
He suggested these tactics were an attempt to distract the public from Mr. Obaseki’s alleged plans to leave the country through the land border.
The governor-elect accused Obaseki of trying to undermine the election results by spreading falsehoods. “Obaseki is pushing these stories to divert attention, but the people of Edo are aware of his plot,” the statement read.
Mr Obaseki had earlier claimed that Mr Okpebolo had failed to invite him to the upcoming inauguration ceremony.
In response, Okpebolo said Obaseki had made no effort to facilitate a peaceful transfer of power or extend an invitation to talks, dismissing the claims as “laughable and ridiculous.”
“Ever since I was declared the winner, Obaseki has done everything to derail the transition process. He has never invited me to any discussions or offered me a tour of the official residence. Have you ever called me to congratulate me?” Okpebolo asked.
The governor-elect reiterated that he is confident that he won the Sept. 21 election convincingly and that the courts will uphold his victory.
“Obaseki is still licking the wounds of defeat and has yet to accept the reality. Through their vote, the people of Edo rejected the diabolical plan to continue the government by Obaseki’s glorious stooge, Asue Ighodaro.” He mocked Obaseki.
He also warned Mr. Obaseki of the potential legal consequences if the immunity lapses.
“I am a pacifist, but I will not stand by while he continues to distort the truth. Once his immunity period ends, Mr. Obaseki will be held accountable for his statements in court,” Okpeboro said. stated flatly.
Speaking during Obaseki’s tenure, Okpebolo appealed to the people of Edo State to look forward to a new chapter of development.
“Mr. Obaseki should face up to the reality of his administration’s failures, take responsibility for the misappropriated funds, and apologize for the stagnation of progress over the past eight years. It is time for Edo to move forward,” he concluded. Ta.
Mr Okpebolo called on Edo residents to ignore Mr Obaseki’s “irresponsible” comments and rally behind the incoming government to foster positive change and growth in the nation.
