The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that former Governor Godwin Obaseki is not avoiding the state, but deliberately giving his successor, Governor Monday Okpebholo, space to govern without feeling overshadowed.
The party explained that Obaseki’s physical presence in Edo would make the current administration “uncomfortable,” as people would constantly compare Okpebholo’s performance to his predecessor’s achievements.
The clarification came amid speculation that the former governor had fled the country to evade investigation by anti-graft agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).
Speaking with journalists in Benin City on Tuesday, former PDP Publicity Secretary Chris Nehikhare dismissed those claims, describing them as “cheap propaganda” by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The immediate past Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, is not on the run. If anybody, including the EFCC or ICPC, wants him, they can write to him and he will respond accordingly,” Nehikhare said.
He said Obaseki was currently participating in a fellowship programme at a foreign university and had no plans to contest any political position.
“Governor Obaseki is not coming back to Benin to run for Senate or any other position like other past governors. He has served at the highest level in Edo, and it is that honour he intends to maintain,” he added.
Nehikhare argued that Obaseki’s decision to stay away from the state was a deliberate act of respect for the new administration.
“Obaseki’s presence in Edo State would make Governor Okpebholo’s administration uncomfortable because people would be judging him daily based on Obaseki’s record of good performance,” he said.
“He is giving Okpebholo the space and opportunity to prove his worth to the people of the state.”
Nehikhare described Obaseki’s tenure as one of the most impactful in Edo’s history, citing reforms in infrastructure, education, and public service. He maintained that those criticising the former governor were simply uncomfortable with his legacy.
He urged Edo residents to ignore what he called the “ranting” of the APC, saying the opposition was only trying to distract the current government by dragging Obaseki into unnecessary controversies.
“The APC continues to blame Obaseki because they cannot match his record. They should focus on supporting development instead of playing politics with governance,” he said.
In a related development, the current Edo PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dan Ogbegie, criticised Governor Okpebholo’s decision to construct a flyover at the Ramat Park axis in Ikpoba Hill, describing it as “unnecessary and misplaced.”
According to him, the project does not address the immediate needs of Edo residents, especially when several key roads in Government Reservation Area (GRA) and other parts of Benin City are in poor condition.
“There are more pressing infrastructural needs in Edo State. Instead of starting a new flyover, the government should complete ongoing projects and fix the roads that people use daily,” Ogbegie said.
He accused the current administration of abandoning many of Obaseki’s projects, insisting that governance is a continuous process that should not be disrupted by political differences.
“Government is a continuum. Abandoning projects started by the previous administration only wastes taxpayers’ money,” he added.
The comments from the PDP come amid increasing political tension between loyalists of the former governor and the new administration. Governor Okpebholo, who assumed office after the September 2024 governorship election, has been under pressure to distinguish his leadership from Obaseki’s.
However, the PDP insists that Obaseki’s legacy in governance speaks for itself and that his absence should not be politicised.
“He has played his part and moved on to other pursuits. Edo people know his contributions, and history will remember him kindly,” Nehikhare concluded.
