Former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has strongly refuted claims by his successor, Governor Monday Okpebholo, that he is unwelcome in Benin City, describing the remarks as insulting and unbecoming of a state leader.
The dispute escalated after Okpebholo, in a weekend interview, declared that Obaseki could not enter Edo State because he was unpopular with the people.
During the interview, Okpebholo also reaffirmed his loyalty to President Bola Tinubu, asserting that the state was firmly behind the President’s 2027 re-election bid.
“Everybody is for Asiwaju, who is Obaseki? Does he have one anywhere here? Let him come here now. He cannot come. His poor record will prevent him from going to Edo. Obaseki dares not come here. If Asiwaju does not win his re-election, I will resign as a governor,” Okpebholo had said.
In response, Obaseki released a video on Monday, denouncing the governor’s statement as a personal insult. “This governor had a disgraceful press conference where he was threatening me. Somebody born in Oredo. This is a villager threatening me that I cannot come to Benin, and that when I come, he will show me. Me! When I am ready to go, we will all come. This is an insult,” he stated.
Obaseki also revealed that he had deliberately refrained from commenting on Okpebholo’s administration to give them space to govern. “For one year since I left office, I have not said a word to his government. I said to myself that I would give them the opportunity to shine. Suddenly, he started attacking my personality and threatening me. When you start with violence, you will reap violence,” he warned.
This latest exchange is the latest development in the ongoing feud between the two leaders. Earlier this year, the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accused Okpebholo of attempting to take credit for projects completed under Obaseki’s tenure, including the 7.5km Temboga Road.
PDP caretaker committee spokesperson Chris Nehikhare described the governor’s claims as misleading. “The current political situation arose from an alien leadership disconnected from the PDP family. Governor Okpebholo should desist from mendacious antics of rewriting the story of Obaseki’s performance by claiming credit for his projects,” he said.
Conversely, the state government countered that the PDP’s statement only highlighted Obaseki’s failures, insisting that his administration left several projects incomplete.
As tensions continue, political observers and stakeholders have urged Governor Okpebholo to focus on delivering on his campaign promises and initiating projects that reflect his administration’s vision for Edo State, rather than engaging in personal attacks against his predecessor.