Obaseki Accuses APC of Excluding Edo Government in Okpebholo’s Inauguration Plans

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has raised concerns that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is preparing to inaugurate Senator Monday Okpebholo as the state’s new governor without consulting the state government.

Obaseki made this statement in Benin City during the inauguration of the caretaker committee for the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He expressed frustration over the APC’s approach, particularly as it concerns the inauguration of Okpebholo, the APC candidate who won the September 21, 2024, governorship election, defeating the PDP’s Asue Ighodalo. Okpebholo is slated to be sworn in on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

Obaseki condemned the APC’s actions as “lawless,” asserting that the state government should have a central role in overseeing such an important event.

“Somebody has to be sworn in. Sworn into a government that exists. You just don’t come from nowhere and start a government. There is already a government. There is a way things are done,” Obaseki said.

He continued, “The government of Edo State is inaugurating a new governor on Tuesday. But what you are seeing now… all the posters. The government of Edo State is not involved.”

The governor further criticized the lack of coordination, describing it as a breach of protocol. “So, it is crazy when people just behave the way they are behaving as if there are no laws in the country. I just sit down sometimes and wonder.”

Obaseki questioned the legitimacy of such actions, asking, “Are we okay as a country? We are guided by the constitution. We are guided by laws and precedents and procedures.”

He concluded by expressing his own exclusion from the process, stating, “So, they are doing the inauguration, I as a governor don’t know. Not even been invited. So, it is like they are starting a brand new state and government.”