Obaseki: EFCC may arrest me next week — but I have nothing to hide

Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo state, says he has been told that operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will come knocking when his tenure elapses next week.

Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be handing over to Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on November 12.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, during the EdoBEST National Results-Sharing Session, ThisDay reports Obaseki as saying that he would spend his time in EFCC custody doing some research.

“I hear that the EFCC will pick me next week after my tenure. Wherever they keep me, I’ll spend time doing research,” he said.

Obaseki, who has served as Edo governor since 2016, said he has left a legacy in the state.

“There are many things we have done that can be described as legacy projects,” he added. 

“I believe in Edo state. One of the things that will last for a very long time to come is the fact that we were able to focus on Edo people and the things that matter to them, reform and implement those things.”

Obaseki said he is being hounded by a “cruel and wicked” opposition in the state, adding that he would gladly hand himself over to the anti-graft agency when the operatives come calling. 

“Why should I have fears? I just focused on what I believe in and today, you can see what has been achieved. What happens after that is not up to me,” the outgoing governor said. 

“They can continue with their political witch-hunt and do all they can to hurt me, that’s their problem. 

“I’m not afraid, I’m not worried. They have written all sorts of silly petitions against me and that’s part of the challenge. In fact, I can even hand myself over, and if they call me, I don’t have anything to hide.

“You know how this country is, it is all about bitterness, it is all about vendetta, wickedness.

“People who have opposed me in Edo state are cruel, very wicked people, very jealous and envious and this is because they cannot show as much as the achievements we have made in the past eight years.

“But what is important to us is to focus on our people in order to make Nigeria better because the suffering is too much. 

“We have the advantage and privilege to make things happen. So, we should focus on issues and not on vendetta.”

On September 22, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Okpebholo winner of the Edo governorship election with 291,667 votes.

Asue Ighodalo of the PDP and Obaseki’s preferred candidate, polled second with 247,274 votes.

Ighodalo has promised to challenge the outcome of the election in court.