By Jude Opara, Abuja
Ahead of his inauguration on Tuesday as the governor of Edo state, the governor-elect, Sen. Monday Okpebholo has expressed concern over the whereabouts of the outgoing governor, Godwin Obaseki as well as what he described as his bizarre public displays.
In a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday and signed by Godspower Inegbe, the governor-elect said Edo people are worried by Obaseki’s reckless statements; even as he urged him to evaluate his state of mind.
Okpebhole in the statement further raised the alarm regarding the whereabouts of Obaseki, whom he claimed reportedly disappeared from Benin City, the Edo State capital, using a disguised bus.
The statement equally alleged that Obaseki chased out everyone from the Government House on Friday before escaping to a yet-to-be known location with only about 72 hours before his official departure from office.
“As of Friday, 8th of 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.
Reacting to the claim by Obaseki that he was not invited to attend the inauguration slated for next Tuesday, Okpebholo described it as laughable, absurd, and questionable.
He said that 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.
