Edo State Governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has raised concerns over outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki’s recent actions, alleging that the governor has gone missing from the state. In a statement issued Sunday by Okpebholo’s spokesperson, Godspower Inegbe, the Governor-elect described Obaseki’s behavior as “bizarre” and claimed he departed Benin City under covert circumstances.

According to Okpebholo, Obaseki reportedly evacuated the Government House on Friday, asking staff to leave before fleeing in a disguised bus. “Edo people are worried about Obaseki’s reckless statements and actions,” the statement said, calling for Obaseki to “evaluate his state of mind.”

The statement suggests that Obaseki’s recent comments might be an attempt to distract from alleged plans to leave the country through land borders. Inegbe asserted that Obaseki’s actions have left the people of Edo State concerned over his intentions and whereabouts as he prepares to leave office.

The claims come amidst heightened attention to the state’s upcoming leadership transition, with Okpebholo calling for transparency and a peaceful handover process.

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, says the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) plans to arrest and detain him after his tenure ends over alleged fraud.

Obaseki’s tenure as governor ends on November 14, 2024.

According to him, he is aware of multiple petitions filed against him but remains unfazed, willing to turn himself in if summoned, as he has nothing to hide.

Obaseki boldly declared that he’s unfazed by potential arrest or investigation into his administration, attributing the petitions against him to vendetta-driven individuals.

Speaking at the EdoBEST National Results-Sharing Session in Abuja, Obaseki expressed confidence in his integrity, stating he’d utilize any time spent in EFCC custody to conduct research, as he has nothing to hide.

Obaseki said his opponents are motivated by envy, seeking to tarnish his remarkable eight-year legacy in the South-South state. According to him, his achievements will endure, despite attempts to discredit him.

The governor said he intends to “serve as a resource person after office and I’m going to give the cheapest services so far from lessons garnered in my eight years’ experience as governor”.

“I hear that the EFCC will pick me next week after my tenure. Wherever they keep me, I’ll spend time doing research,” he said.

“There are many things we have done that can be described as legacy projects. I believe in Edo State; one of the things that will last for a very long time to come is the fact that we were able to focus on Edo people and the things that matter to them, reform and implement those things.

Why should I have fears? I just focused on what I believe in and today, you can see what has been achieved.

“What happens after that is not up to me. They can continue with their political witch-hunt and do all they can to hurt me, that’s their problem.

“I’m not afraid, I’m not worried. They have written all sorts of silly petitions against me and that’s part of the challenge.”

“In fact, I can even hand myself over, and if they call me, I don’t have anything to hide,” he added.

Senator Monday Okpebholo, Edo State Governor-elect, had accused Governor Obaseki’s administration of taking unscrupulous loans from banks and other financial institutions.

Okpebholo, who alleged the looting of government funds by officials of the outgoing administration, also accused government officials of looting public properties including vehicles, furniture and rice.

Okpebholo in October called on relevant authorities including the EFCC, police and Department of State Services to investigate the allegations.

Immediate past governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, who was arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has spent second night in the custody of the anti-graft commission.

Okowa is currently being investigated and detained over the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion.

The N1.3 trillion reportedly represents the 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

According to sources within the commission, Okowa was invited to the EFCC office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he’s subsequently detained by officials.

One of the sources stated, “Okowa was at our Port Harcourt office following an invitation from investigators probing the allegations against him. He was then arrested. The commission is investigating him regarding the N1.3 trillion 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

“He is also accused of failing to account for the funds, as well as another N40 billion he allegedly claimed was used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas. He reportedly bought shares worth N40 billion in one of the country’s major banks, representing an 8% equity stake, to support the offshore LNG project. The funds are alleged to have been misappropriated for other purposes.

Investigators are also examining the alleged diversion of funds by the former governor to acquire estates in Abuja and Asaba, Delta State. He is currently being held at the EFCC facility in Port Harcourt.