The Traffic

Drama in Edo: Governor-Elect Okpebholo Accuses Obaseki of Sabotaging Power Transition

By Achimi Muktar

In a brewing political showdown, Edo State Governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo, has accused the outgoing Governor, Godwin Obaseki, of deliberately frustrating the peaceful transfer of power ahead of his swearing-in on Tuesday. Okpebholo’s claims come in response to Obaseki’s recent statement that he has yet to receive an invitation to the inauguration ceremony.

Obaseki, who raised concerns last Friday, suggested that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Okpebholo, were planning the inauguration without involving the state government, a move he described as "lawless." The outgoing governor's remarks have sparked a heated exchange, escalating tensions between the two camps.

In a statement released by Okpebholo’s media aide, Godspower Inegbe, the Governor-elect didn’t mince words, blasting Obaseki’s accusations as "laughable" and "absurd." Okpebholo further accused the sitting governor of using every tactic to disrupt the transition, citing the lack of communication between the two leaders as a key issue.

"Obaseki’s claims are not only reckless but also telling of his unwillingness to facilitate a smooth transfer of power," the statement read. "Has Obaseki ever invited me to Government House for a meeting or even placed a call to congratulate me since the election ended? The answer is no."

Okpebholo emphasized that his inauguration was well within the legal bounds, and Obaseki's refusal to cooperate with the process only highlighted the outgoing administration's failure to uphold democratic principles.

With just 72 hours before Obaseki vacates the Government House, the situation has left many Edo residents concerned about a peaceful handover. Okpebholo’s team urged the people of Edo to "disregard Obaseki’s reckless statements" and stand behind the incoming administration, promising to rectify what they described as "the many wrongs of this government."

As the countdown to the swearing-in ceremony begins, all eyes are on Edo State to see if the transition will proceed without further drama, or if this political standoff will intensify in the days to come.