Edo State’s outgoing Governor, Godwin Obaseki, recently expressed disappointment over not being included in the arrangements for the upcoming inauguration of his successor, Monday Okpebholo.
According to Obaseki, his administration has not been consulted about the ceremony, scheduled for Tuesday, and he has not received an invitation to attend.
Okpebholo, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), won the Edo State governorship election held on September 21. Obaseki, however, criticized the APC’s approach to the inauguration process, describing it as unstructured and bypassing standard government protocols. He emphasized that the state government typically coordinates such events, stressing the importance of following established procedures to maintain order.
During an address in Benin City at the inauguration of the caretaker committee for the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Obaseki shared his concerns, saying, “A governor has to be sworn into an existing government framework. You don’t just start from scratch without regard for the existing structure. The state government is responsible for inaugurating a new governor on Tuesday, yet all we see are posters and preparations in which the state has no part.” He added, “It’s troubling to see people act as if there are no rules. It’s as though they’re forming a brand new government without acknowledging the existing one.”
In related news, the APC recently accused Governor Obaseki of converting political appointees to full-time civil servants just days before the end of his term. Prince Kassim Afegbua, a member of the APC transition committee, claimed that Obaseki had converted 186 Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants into full-time roles in September 2024. Additionally, the APC alleges that Obaseki is now in the process of absorbing another 152 aides, which they argue has led to a significant increase in government staff numbers.
The APC’s concerns reflect tensions surrounding the transition of power in Edo State, with accusations from both parties about adherence to state laws and norms in managing political transitions.
