Former Governor Godwin Obaseki has responded to the recent announcement by Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration to investigate the previous government.
According to reports, Okpebholo approved the creation of a 14-member State Assets Verification Committee on Sunday, with the committee set to begin its work by being sworn in on Tuesday. This move has sparked a reaction from Obaseki’s camp, particularly from his media aide, Crusoe Osagie, who has dismissed the probe as an attempt to divert attention from the perceived failures of the current administration.
Osagie strongly criticized the probe, calling it a “smokescreen” designed to deflect from the incompetence and lack of direction within the Okpebholo-led government. He argued that the current administration’s attempt to investigate Obaseki’s tenure was an effort to distract from their own inability to govern effectively. According to Osagie, the administration of Obaseki was one of the most transparent, accountable, and fiscally responsible in Nigeria’s recent history.
“We are compelled to respond to this absurd and laughable statement from the Okpebholo administration, which has now set up a 14-member committee to scrutinize the assets of His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki,” Osagie said in a statement. “This is yet another in a series of pointless investigations that have been initiated since Okpebholo assumed office through undemocratic means. From probing civil service appointments to investigating ministries, departments, and government assets, it’s clear that this administration is without a clear strategy or vision for the state’s development.”
He continued by highlighting the actions of the current administration, accusing Governor Okpebholo of resorting to endless, meaningless probes as a way to delay addressing the real issues facing Edo State. Osagie emphasized that instead of making progress, the administration has chosen to focus on distractions, masking its shortcomings with investigations that serve no real purpose.
“The governor-select is clearly struggling to find his footing and is using these futile investigations as a diversionary tactic,” Osagie stated. “Edo people are not fooled. They have already seen through this political theater. What we are witnessing is a politician who is out of his depth, acting as a puppet for various political godfathers who have long been denied access to the state’s resources under the previous government.”
Osagie also took a moment to defend the achievements of Obaseki’s administration, praising its unprecedented level of transparency and fiscal responsibility. He noted that Obaseki’s government laid a solid foundation for future economic stability and growth, citing the significant milestones achieved across multiple sectors of the state. According to Osagie, it was this commitment to good governance that enabled Obaseki’s administration to succeed in numerous areas, from infrastructure development to social welfare programs.
“The Obaseki administration stands as a testament to what can be achieved when transparency, accountability, and fiscal discipline are prioritized,” Osagie declared. “This is why they want to undermine that legacy through these distractions. But the people of Edo State know the truth: they know who truly worked for their benefit and who is just trying to cover up their own inadequacies.”
Concluding his statement, Osagie urged Governor Okpebholo to shift his focus to actual governance, emphasizing that the people of Edo State deserve more than just political posturing. He called on the governor to direct his energy toward improving the lives of the state’s residents rather than wasting resources on investigations that serve no real purpose.
“Edo people are watching closely, and this government will ultimately be judged not by the noise it makes, but by the tangible impact it has on the lives of the people,” Osagie added. “We advise Okpebholo to stop hiding behind these probes and concentrate on delivering results. His brief time in office will soon be remembered for the real actions he takes, not for his attempts to distract from his failures.”
