Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is poised to arrest him immediately after his tenure concludes on November 14. Addressing an audience at the EdoBEST National Results-Sharing Session in Abuja on Thursday, Obaseki revealed that he received information about the EFCC’s intentions to detain him on charges of alleged fraud, a move he believes is fueled by political vendetta and jealousy from his opponents.
Unfazed by the news, Obaseki stated firmly that he has nothing to fear and no regrets about his time in office, expressing confidence that he has always acted in the best interests of Edo State and its people. “I hear that the EFCC will pick me up next week after my tenure,” he said. “Wherever they keep me, I’ll spend time doing research.” The governor insisted that his administration’s achievements speak for themselves, emphasizing that he would face any investigation with confidence, knowing he has nothing to hide.
Obaseki did not mince words when describing the motivations he attributes to his political adversaries. According to him, the barrage of petitions submitted against him reflects the “bitterness, vendettas, and wickedness” he believes are prevalent in the Nigerian political landscape. “Those who have opposed me in Edo State are cruel, very wicked, and filled with jealousy and envy because they cannot match the accomplishments we’ve made in the past eight years,” Obaseki declared, attributing the petitions against him to rivals he claims are envious of his legacy in the South-South state.
The governor highlighted several achievements under his administration, dubbing them “legacy projects” and reiterating his commitment to the reforms he has introduced to improve the lives of Edo citizens. “There are many things we have done that can be described as legacy projects. I believe in Edo State. One of the enduring achievements is our focus on the Edo people and issues that matter to them, implementing necessary reforms,” he said, stressing his dedication to public service and lasting positive impact. Obaseki argued that the focus should be on progress for the Nigerian people, not vendettas, urging leaders to use their positions to improve citizens’ lives.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo, as the winner of the September 21, 2024, Edo governorship election. Okpebholo triumphed with 291,667 votes, defeating his closest challenger, Peoples Democratic Party’s Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes, while Labour Party candidate Olumide Akpata trailed behind with 22,763 votes. This electoral shift marks a new political chapter in Edo State as Obaseki prepares to exit the stage, albeit under a cloud of alleged investigations.
