Edo: Okpebholo, Obaseki clash over alleged threats

A fresh political row has erupted in Edo State after former Governor Godwin Obaseki accused Governor Monday Okpebholo of threatening him and warned that no one should blame him if he is forced to respond.

Speaking in London, Obaseki reacted to what he described as an “alleged threat” from Governor Okpebholo telling him not to visit Benin City again. He said he would not sit idly by if such threats continued.

“They have been threatening violence, and if I respond, nobody should hold me responsible because it is clear that I cannot leave myself exposed to be hurt or attacked by people who are deranged,” Obaseki said.

The former governor insisted he would “fight back,” claiming those issuing the warnings were doing so because “they know they didn’t win the election.” He added that “those who live by the sword will die by the sword,” arguing that anyone who starts with violence “will reap violence.”

Obaseki, who left office a year ago, said he had refrained from criticising Okpebholo’s administration to allow the governor “the opportunity to try his best.” He accused the government of orchestrating attacks on him during a recent exhibition at the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin and again during a separate outing in Manchester.

Government denies threat

Responding, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Prince Kassim Afegbua, dismissed Obaseki’s claims, saying the former governor was being haunted by his “own evil deeds” and not by Governor Okpebholo.

He maintained that the governor has never threatened Obaseki or anyone else, adding that every Edo son and daughter, including the former governor “who has turned himself into a fugitive,” remains part of the state’s pride.

“What Governor Okpebholo said in his interview was that Godwin Obaseki has become so unpopular that contemplating a visit to Benin City would be a tall order,” Afegbua said.

“What is in Obaseki that anyone should worry about? As a sitting governor, his candidate was defeated. Is it now that he is out of office that he would make any impact?”

Afegbua added that the situation should serve as a reminder for those in power “not to play God.”

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