Former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has dismissed claims by Governor Monday Okpebholo that he cannot enter Benin City.
The ex- governor insisted that no one has the authority to stop him from returning to the state capital.
Obaseki’s response came after Okpebholo, in a weekend interview, declared that the former governor was not welcome in Edo because he was unpopular with the people.
Okpebholo also pledged loyalty to President Bola Tinubu, stating that the state was firmly behind the President’s re-election bid in 2027.
“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 said.
In a viral video released on Monday, Obaseki fired back, describing Okpebholo’s remarks as insulting. “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,” Obaseki stated.
He added that since leaving office, 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 on 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,” Obaseki warned.
This latest exchange marks another round in the ongoing feud between the two leaders. Earlier in the 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 Okpebholo’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.
The state government, however, countered that the PDP’s statement only exposed Obaseki’s failures, insisting that his administration had left behind incomplete projects.
As tensions continue, party stakeholders have urged Okpebholo to focus on delivering his campaign promises and initiating projects that reflect his administration’s vision for Edo State.
