Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has accused the All Progressives Congress of bypassing the state government in planning the inauguration of Senator Monday Okpebholo, the governor-elect, without consultation.
Obaseki made these remarks in Benin during the inauguration of the caretaker committee for the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Senator Okpebholo, the APC candidate who won the September 21, 2024, governorship election by defeating the PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, is scheduled for swearing-in on Tuesday, November 12.
Obaseki criticized the APC’s actions, calling them “lawless” and emphasizing that the state government should have a role in overseeing the inauguration process.
He expressed concerns over the lack of coordination, stating, “Somebody has to be sworn in. Sworn into a government that exists. You just don’t come from nowhere and start a government.”
Referring to what he called disregard for protocol, Obaseki remarked, “The government of Edo State is inaugurating a new governor on Tuesday. But what you are seeing now—all the posters—the government of Edo State is not involved. So, it is crazy when people just behave the way they are behaving as if there are no laws in the country.”
Expressing his frustration with the situation, he questioned, “Are we okay as a country? We are guided by the constitution. We are guided by laws and precedents and procedures. So, they are doing inauguration, I, as a governor, don’t know. Not even been invited. So, it is like they are starting a brand new state and government.”