Former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has refuted remarks by Governor Monday Okpebholo suggesting he would not be welcome in Benin City, the state capital.
Okpebholo had alleged that Obaseki lacks support in the state and would face resistance if he attempted to campaign for any candidate other than President Bola Tinubu. Speaking over the weekend, the governor declared, “Everybody is for Asiwaju, who is Obaseki? Let him come here now. He cannot come. His poor record will prevent him from going to Edo. Obaseki dares not come here. If Asiwaju does not win his re-election, I will resign as governor.”
In a widely circulated video released on Monday, Obaseki fired back, describing Okpebholo as a “villager from Oredo” and insisting that no authority exists to stop him from entering Edo State.
He stated, “When you start with violence, you will reap violence. For one year since I left office, I have not said a word on his government. Suddenly, he started attacking my personality and threatening me. This week, he held a disgraceful press conference threatening me. When I am ready to go, we will all come. This is an insult.”
The friction between both leaders has simmered for months. Earlier in 2025, the Edo State PDP accused Okpebholo of attempting to take credit for projects, including the Temboga Road construction, which the party said were conceived and completed during Obaseki’s administration.
PDP Caretaker Committee Publicity Secretary Chris Nehikhare criticized the governor’s assertions as “disingenuous and misleading,” urging him to steer clear of “rewriting history” and instead channel his efforts into initiatives that align with his administration’s goals for Edo State.
