The incoming governor of Edo state announced on Sunday that Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the outgoing governor, has been missing since last Friday and is currently incommunicado, in response to his claims that he has not been invited to the upcoming inauguration of Senator Monday Okpebholo as the state’s governor.
In a statement made available to journalists on Sunday and signed by Godspower Inegbe, Okpebholo said Edo people are worried by Obaseki’s recent reckless utterances and urged him to evaluate his state of mind.
The Governor-Elect in the statement raised the alarm regarding the whereabouts of Obaseki, who on Friday reportedly fled Benin City, the Edo State capital, using am unmarked bus.
The statement revealed that Obaseki chased out everyone from the Government House on Friday before escaping to a yet-to-be known location more than 72 hours before his official departure from office.
“As of Friday, 8th November, the whereabouts of Obaseki is unknown. He has chased everyone out of Edo State Government House. He has abandoned governance in the State, and he is on the run.
“He has escaped through the road out of Benin. He did not pass through the airport. If he is as popular as he claims, why did he not use the airport to escape? Instead, he hired a bus and disguised while escaping from Edo State.
“Obaseki is trying to push out these narratives in order to distract the public. His antics will not work. We know his plans, and we will continue to expose his shenanigans to Edo people,” the statement read.
Obaseki, on Saturday, claimed that Senator Okpebholo did not invite him to his inauguration, slated for next Tuesday. He also claimed without proof that the Governor-Elect has a stolen mandate.
But an angry Okpebholo said Obaseki needs serious and urgent attention.
He said since he won the election, Obaseki has employed every means to frustrate a peaceful transfer of power. The Governor-elect noted that Obaseki has not extended any invitation to him for a meeting or a tour of the Government House.
