The Edo State Government on Monday firmly denied claims by former Governor Godwin Obaseki that his successor, Governor Monday Okpebholo, threatened him and prevented him from entering Benin City. The government described Obaseki’s allegations as false, misleading, and politically motivated.
The dispute began after Obaseki recently suggested that he no longer felt safe entering the state capital because of statements made by Governor Okpebholo. But the state government, in a detailed statement released by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, insisted that no one had threatened or chased the former governor.
“There is no truth in the claim that Governor Okpebholo threatened Obaseki or prevented him from entering Benin,” Afegbua said. “We are not in the business of intimidating anyone. Every Edo son and daughter is our pride, including the former governor who has turned himself into a fugitive.”
Afegbua explained that Okpebholo merely said during a media interview that Obaseki had become “unpopular” in the state, which might make it difficult for him to return freely to public gatherings in Benin City. According to Afegbua, the comment was an observation and not a threat.
“Godwin Obaseki has become an outcast barely a year after leaving office, and his deeds are chasing him around,” he added. “What Governor Okpebholo said was that Obaseki’s unpopularity might make a return to Benin City a tall order. That does not amount to barring him from the city.”
The latest clash is part of a long-running political tension between the two leaders, both of whom were once allies. Obaseki completed his second term as governor in 2024 after succeeding Adams Oshiomhole in 2016. During his tenure, he fought several political battles within his party and against opposition groups in the state.
Since leaving office, Obaseki has faced criticism from different political actors. The Okpebholo administration said the former governor isolated himself from the people because of what it called years of poor governance, strained relationships with traditional institutions, and alleged mismanagement of state affairs.
The Edo government accused Obaseki of engaging in actions that alienated him from citizens. These include claims that he left office without providing a formal handover note and that key e-governance platforms were “jammed” before he left power. The statement also repeated earlier political accusations that he used intimidation during the 2024 governorship election and that his administration failed to manage state institutions effectively.
One of the strongest accusations in Monday’s statement was that Obaseki disrespected the Oba of Benin and mishandled the proposed Benin Royal Museum project, a major cultural initiative expected to boost tourism and preserve Edo heritage. Obaseki has denied previous accusations relating to the museum project.
The statement also recalled a violent incident at the Benin Airport during Obaseki’s time in office, in which a police orderly was killed after an attack involving political supporters. At the time, then-senator Monday Okpebholo was said to be one of the targets of the violence. Obaseki denied involvement in the incident, saying he had no link to the attack.
Afegbua said these past events explained why the former governor’s recent claim lacked credibility. He argued that Obaseki was trying to “play the victim” in a bid to regain political relevance after what the current administration described as a decline in his influence.
“What is in Obaseki that anyone should fear?” Afegbua asked. “His preferred candidate in the last governorship election lost despite his incumbency. The people of Edo State have moved on.”
The Edo State Government insisted that Obaseki’s political weight had reduced significantly since leaving office. It argued that his recent comments were an attempt to distract the public from what it called the achievements of the Okpebholo administration.
Officials contrasted the current government’s performance with what they described as Obaseki’s “dubious” projects, which they claimed were more focused on appearances than real development.
According to the statement, the Okpebholo administration has already begun major infrastructural projects across the state. These include the construction of Edo State’s first flyovers at Ramat Park and Adesuwa Junction—projects the government says will ease traffic and improve movement within Benin City.
The state government also announced the rehabilitation of several public schools in Oredo Local Government, including Oredo Girls Secondary School, New Era Secondary School, and Army Day Secondary School. Officials say these efforts are part of the new administration’s commitment to improving education and rebuilding trust in government.
For many Edo residents, the back-and-forth between the former and current governors is a reminder of the political instability that dominated the state’s political landscape in recent years. Analysts say the rising tensions may shape political debates ahead of future elections.
Meanwhile, members of the public continue to react to the government’s statement. Some residents believe Obaseki’s concerns should be taken seriously, while others argue that the former governor is simply trying to remain politically relevant.
As of Monday, neither Obaseki nor his media team had issued a fresh response to the government’s latest statement. However, political watchers expect further reactions in the coming days, as both camps appear unwilling to step back from the ongoing confrontation.
For now, the Edo State Government says Obaseki is free to enter Benin City whenever he wishes, insisting that he faces no threats from any state official.
“The former governor is safe,” Afegbua said. “He can come to Benin anytime. The government has nothing against him.”
