Oshiomhole Strikes Back: The Truth Behind Obaseki’s Electoral Defeat
Former Governor of Edo State, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, has launched a strong critique of current Governor Godwin Obaseki, deeming his administration a failure and arguing that there’s little to commend in Obaseki’s eight years in office to support his chosen successor in the recent gubernatorial election.
In a Sunday interview with ARISE NEWS, Oshiomhole expressed doubt about Obaseki’s connection with voters, claiming the governor has effectively alienated his former supporters, leaving him politically isolated. He characterized Obaseki as a “lonely man” who lacks the backing necessary to promote his preferred candidate.
Oshiomhole stated, “Obaseki has mismanaged the state and betrayed the trust of the people. He has imprisoned innocent individuals and committed numerous injustices that no responsible leader would inflict on their community. He often boasts of his power, forgetting that authority is granted by the people, who expect their leaders to serve them well. Instead, he has wielded power to intimidate and broken promises without delivering results.”
He further noted the governor’s conflicts with traditional leaders and others, asserting that Obaseki’s approach to leadership has been destructive. Oshiomhole remarked, “It’s a relief that we have now relegated him to the annals of political history.”
While acknowledging a personal friendship with Obaseki, Oshiomhole asserted, “As governor, he was unsuccessful. Our victory over Obaseki and Asue Ighodalo was foreseeable; their performances and credentials offered no basis for winning the election. I’ve previously stated that Asue lacks electability.
Obaseki, much like the blind man who crossed the river without realizing its depth, has been sheltered from the true challenges of governance. In 2016 and again in 2020, he relied on support from various factions to secure his position, never fully grasping the responsibilities of leadership. Now, having severed ties with key allies, including Wike and members of the PDP, he stands alone, unable to navigate the political landscape on his own. He once predicted that this election was a do-or-die affair; now the people of Edo have spoken, and his political aspirations are effectively over.”
