Obaseki’s whereabouts unknown 72 hours before handover, says Okpebholo

Edo State Governor-Elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has alleged that the whereabouts of the outgoing Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, are unknown.

In a statement by his media aide, Mr Godspower Inegbe, Okpebholo claimed that Obaseki, last seen on Friday in Benin City, the Edo State capital, may have fled in a disguised bus.

Okpebholo stated that information available to him indicated that Obaseki had dismissed everyone from the Government House on Friday before departing to an undisclosed location more than 72 hours before his official exit from office.

“As of Friday, 8th of November, Obaseki’s whereabouts are unknown. He has chased everyone out of Edo State Government House. He has abandoned governance in the State and is on the run,” he alleged.

“He has left Benin by road, avoiding the airport. If he is as popular as he claims, why didn’t he use the airport? Instead, he hired a bus and disguised himself to escape from Edo State.

“Obaseki is trying to push narratives to distract the public. His antics will not work. We know his plans, and we will continue to expose his shenanigans to Edo people.”

On Saturday, Obaseki claimed that Senator Okpebholo did not invite him to his inauguration, slated for next Tuesday, and also alleged, without proof, that the governor-elect holds a stolen mandate.

Okpebholo, however, insisted that Obaseki needs urgent psychiatric attention, stating that his recent utterances and public actions should concern Edo citizens.

The governor-elect affirmed he won the election convincingly and added that the tribunal will soon validate his victory, assuring that Obaseki will not escape the consequences of his claims.

“Obaseki will not get away with this misrepresentation. Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Governor-Elect of Edo State, won the September 21st governorship election in Edo State.

“Obaseki is still nursing the wound of defeat and has yet to accept reality. Edo people, through the ballot, rejected the continuation of Obaseki’s administration through his preferred successor, Asue Ighodalo,” Okpebholo mocked.

Okpebholo accused Obaseki of trying to influence the tribunal’s outcome by making false claims, adding that the attempt would fail like a pack of cards.

He said: “The Peoples Democratic Party is already challenging the election result in court. We are therefore concerned that Obaseki is attempting to pre-empt the tribunal’s outcome by making repeated false claims.

“Unfortunately for Obaseki, his baseless claims will not stand. The Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate, Ighodalo, have no case against Senator Okpebholo. The tribunal will soon confirm this.”

He urged Obaseki to desist from making false claims and reminded him of the consequences if he did not.

Senator Okpebholo noted that Obaseki will soon lose his immunity and will face legal consequences if he does not correct his actions.

Responding to Obaseki’s claim that he was not invited to the inauguration scheduled for next Tuesday, Okpebholo called it laughable, absurd, and questionable.

He stated that since his election win, Obaseki has used every means to obstruct a peaceful power transfer. Okpebholo added that Obaseki has not extended an invitation for a meeting or a tour of the Government House.

The statement read: “Again, Obaseki claims that Senator Okpebholo did not invite him to the inauguration, slated for next Tuesday. This is laughable, absurd, and questionable. Since Senator Okpebholo was declared winner, Obaseki has used every means to frustrate a peaceful transfer of power.

“As the sitting Governor, Obaseki should tell Edo people and Nigerians if he has ever invited the Governor-Elect, Senator Okpebholo, to Government House for a meeting or tour, as would be expected from a responsible man. Has Obaseki called Senator Okpebholo to congratulate him since he won the election?

“Obaseki should cover his face in shame, account for the billions he has misappropriated, and apologise to Edo people for under-developing the State over the last eight years.

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