By Jude Opara
The Edo state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Tony Aziegbemi, has insisted that former Governor Godwin Obaseki cannot be compelled or intimidated into returning to the state, stressing that such a decision remains entirely at his discretion.
Aziegbemi made the remark in Benin while reacting to calls by the Edo State Government for Obaseki to return and respond to questions regarding alleged financial impropriety during his tenure.
He described the demand as unwarranted, noting that the PDP fully supports the former governor against what he termed attempts to undermine his legacy of reforms and development initiatives.
According to Aziegbemi, Obaseki, like every Nigerian, enjoys the constitutional right to reside anywhere of his choice without fear of harassment or coercion.
“Former Governor Obaseki is a free citizen of Nigeria and has the liberty to stay wherever he deems fit,” he said. “It is on record that he previously wrote to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which subsequently reviewed Edo State’s financial records covering his eight years in office. To the best of our knowledge, no formal invitation has been extended to him by any investigative agency.”
He added that it was inappropriate and demeaning for the state government to issue public demands or attempt to pressure the former governor into returning to Edo State.
“It is disturbing and unacceptable for any government official to suggest that he must return under intimidation. He will come back to Edo State when he personally decides to do so, not because someone in government says he should,” Aziegbemi stated.
Meanwhile, the Edo PDP chairman challenged the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo to provide a transparent account of the funds it has received from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) since assuming office.
Presenting figures of statutory allocations accruing to the state and its local government councils, Aziegbemi said the records reveal massive inflows amounting to tens of billions of naira, without corresponding visible improvements in infrastructure or public services.
“The critical question Edo people are asking today is simple: where is the impact of these funds on the ground?” he queried.
He expressed concern that statutory allocations were allegedly being disbursed to unelected local government officials, while duly elected chairmen with court judgments in their favour remain sidelined.
“This raises serious questions about whether public resources are being used for genuine development or merely recycled within an illegitimate administrative framework,” Aziegbemi said.
