Outgoing Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has expressed his willingness to cooperate fully with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission if summoned to account for his administration’s activities over his eight-year tenure.
Speaking in Abuja during the EdoBEST National Results-Sharing Session, an event showcasing his administration’s achievements in the education sector, Obaseki asserted his openness to EFCC scrutiny, emphasizing he has nothing to hide.
“I’m not afraid of the EFCC. Why should I be? What is important is focus,” Obaseki said. “I came into office and ignored the noise, concentrating on what I felt was important, and today you can see the results. If the EFCC calls on me, I will hand myself over; I have nothing to hide.”
Reflecting on his administration’s legacy, Obaseki highlighted the significant advancements in education, stressing that over 400,000 children have been enrolled under his administration’s education reforms, with data available on every child.
He noted the construction of a newly rebuilt technical college designed to train youth in various vocational skills, such as catering, mechanics, bricklaying, and construction, preparing them to be self-sufficient and productive members of society.
He criticized opposition parties, particularly the All Progressives Congress for what he termed “unnecessary and silly petitions” focused on vendetta rather than addressing the needs of Nigerians.
Obaseki suggested that the APC should redirect its energies toward tackling the issues affecting citizens.
He described his political opponents as “bitter” and motivated by jealousy over his administration’s achievements.
“What matters is focusing on our people and making Nigeria better. The suffering is too much. We, who are privileged, should focus on making a positive impact, not on side issues like vendetta,” Obaseki said.
In addition, Obaseki spoke against a proposal from the Nigerian Academy of Letters to transfer control of unity schools to state governments. Instead, he suggested that these institutions should be managed by both private and public sectors to ensure they have the resources necessary to meet global standards.
“The original intention of unity schools was to make them elite institutions for the best and brightest,” Obaseki noted, referencing comments from keynote speaker Prof. Olubayi Olubayi. “Unity schools should cater to exceptional students from across the country, equipping them to lead in policy-making and innovation. Such schools require substantial resources, so they should be managed by a combination of private and public sectors, rather than by states alone.”
Obaseki stressed that the quality and output of education, not mere ownership, should be the priority in deciding how unity schools are managed.
As he prepares to leave office, Obaseki said he remains proud of his administration’s enduring contributions, particularly in education, which he believes will leave a lasting impact on Edo State’s future.