Obaseki on the Run: Okpebholo Claims Outgoing Governor Fled Edo State Before Tenure End
Edo Governor, ObasekiSenator Monday Okpebholo, the Governor-elect of Edo State, has raised alarm over the alleged sudden disappearance of outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki, claiming he has fled the country via land borders.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Okpebholo’s media aide, Godspower Inegbe, expressed concerns over Obaseki’s actions, stating that the governor left Benin City, the state capital, in a secretive manner on Friday. Okpebholo, who is set to be inaugurated on Tuesday, claimed that Obaseki’s departure came more than 72 hours ahead of the official end of his tenure, and that he had used a disguised bus to escape the state, avoiding the airport altogether.
The governor-elect accused Obaseki of attempting to distract the public from his flight by making false statements. Okpebholo said, “As of Friday, November 8, the whereabouts of Governor Obaseki remain unknown. He cleared out of the Government House and vanished without any trace. If he was as popular as he claims, why not leave through the airport? Instead, he hired a bus and fled through the land borders.”
Okpebholo further criticized Obaseki for attempting to create misleading narratives to divert attention from his alleged flight. “His antics will not work; the people of Edo State are aware of his plans, and we will continue to expose him,” the statement added.
In a separate development, Obaseki had recently claimed that he was not invited to Okpebholo’s inauguration. Okpebholo responded by accusing the outgoing governor of financial mismanagement during his tenure, stating that Obaseki had falsely portrayed the situation regarding the September 21 governorship election.
Okpebholo, who won the election convincingly, reaffirmed his victory, saying the tribunal would soon validate his claims. He emphasized that Obaseki’s actions were an attempt to influence the tribunal’s outcome and insisted that the accusations would not hold. “Obaseki’s false claims will not stand,” he said, adding that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, had no legal grounds to contest the result.
The Governor-elect also warned Obaseki to cease making baseless accusations, stressing that once he loses his immunity, he will be accountable for his actions. “Governor Obaseki will soon face the full weight of the law if he continues down this path,” Okpebholo stated. “While I am a man of peace, I will not tolerate misrepresentation of the election’s outcome.”
He concluded by reminding Obaseki that his immunity would soon expire, and the law would take its course if he persisted in making unfounded claims.
