Former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has criticised his successor, Governor Monday Okpebholo, over allegations of financial mismanagement and other claims levelled against his administration.
Gists9ja reports that Okpebholo, during an interview with an online platform to mark his second year in office, accused the previous administration of mismanaging the state’s resources.
The governor also alleged that the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, brought thugs to Edo State during a visit to Benin City, the state capital.
Reacting to the allegations, Obaseki, through a statement issued by his media aide, Crusoe Osagie, accused Okpebholo of making unsubstantiated claims to divert public attention from his administration’s performance.
The former governor argued that Okpebholo had failed to demonstrate tangible development achievements despite the substantial financial resources that had reportedly passed through the state’s coffers during his 24 months in office.
Obaseki described the allegations against him as mischievous attempts to distract Edo residents from what he characterised as the poor performance of the current administration.
He maintained that rather than making accusations against his predecessor and other political figures, Okpebholo should concentrate on fulfilling his campaign promises and delivering development projects to the people.
In the statement, Obaseki said:
“Despite trillions of naira having passed through the state’s coffers during this period, we wish to note that it is totally disingenuous and mischievous to attempt to deflect public attention from his deplorable performance as governor by telling unconscionable lies about H.E. Godwin Obaseki and others whom he knows enjoy the goodwill of the people.
“Instead of relying on trickery to deflect public attention from the clear underperformance of his administration so far, we encourage Okpebholo to begin making an honest effort to deliver tangible dividends of democracy to the people of Edo State during the less than two years remaining in his administration.”
The exchange highlights the continuing political disagreements between the former governor and his successor, with both camps presenting contrasting accounts of the state’s governance and development record.
