Okpebholo: Obaseki frustrating peaceful transfer of power

Monday Okpebholo, Edo governor-elect, says Godwin Obaseki, governor of the state, is sabotaging a peaceful transfer of power.

Obaseki’s tenure as Edo governor elapses on November 12, 2024.

On Friday, the governor said the All Progressives Congress (APC) is planning the swearing-in of his successor without input from the state government.

He added that the APC has not bothered to invite him to the inauguration.

In a riposte, Godspower Inegbe, media aide to Okpebholo, said Obaseki has deployed every tool in his arsenal to frustrate the handover.

Inegbe said Obaseki has neither called to congratulate the governor-elect nor taken Okpebholo on a tour of government house.

“Again, Obaseki also claimed that Senator Okpebholo did not invite him to the inauguration slated for next Tuesday. This is laughable, absurd, and questionable,” the statement reads.

“Since Okpebholo was declared the winner, Obaseki has employed every means to frustrate a peaceful transfer of power.

“As a sitting governor, Obaseki should tell Edo people and Nigerians if he has ever invited the governor-elect to Government House for a meeting or a tour as a responsible man.

“Has Obaseki called Senator Okpebholo to congratulate him since he won the election?

“We urge Edo people to disregard Obaseki’s reckless statements and support the incoming administration of Senator Okpebholo to remedy the many wrongs of this government.”

Obaseki had also claimed that the anti-graft agency intends to arrest him as soon as he hands over the reins of power.

Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was Obaseki’s preferred candidate in the September 21 governorship election.

Ighodalo has vowed to challenge the outcome of the vote in court.