APC hasn’t invited me to Okpebholo’s inauguration, says Obaseki

Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo, says the All Progressives Congress (APC) is planning the inauguration of  Monday Okpebholo without input from the state government. 

Speaking on Friday while swearing in the caretaker committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Obaseki said the APC has not invited him to the inauguration.

Obaseki described the APC’s action as lawless, adding that the state government is supposed to be in charge of the programme.

“Somebody has to be sworn in. Sworn into a government that exists. You just don’t come from nowhere and start a government. There is already a government. There is a way things are done,” he said.

“The government of Edo state is inaugurating a new governor on Tuesday. But what you are seeing now… all the posters. The government of Edo state is not involved.

“So, it is crazy when people just behave the way they are behaving as if there are no laws in the country. I just sit down sometimes and wonder.

“Are we okay as a country? We are guided by the constitution. We are guided by laws and precedents and procedures.

“So, they are doing inauguration, I as a governor don’t know. Not even been invited. So, it is like they are starting a brand new state and government.”

Obaseki, who became governor in 2016, will hand over to Okpebholo on November 12, 2024.

Okpebholo defeated Asue Ighodalo of the PDP in the September 21 governorship election. Ighodalo was Obaseki’s preferred candidate.

On Friday, Obaseki dissolved his cabinet ahead of the inauguration.

“No words can adequately express my gratitude to my dedicated team, the members of the Edo state executive council for their sterling performance which has led to an expanded economy and improved the lives of our people over the past eight years,” Obaseki wrote on X.

On Thursday, Obaseki claimed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is making plans to arrest him as soon as he hands over the reins of power.