Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, whose tenure concludes tomorrow, has been located in Lagos, putting to rest speculations that he had fled the country.
According to Politics Nigeria, the rumors gained traction after Governor-elect Senator Monday Okpebholo suggested that Obaseki might have left Nigeria via a land border to avoid potential legal scrutiny.
Obaseki, who has governed Edo State since 2016, was initially elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC) before defecting to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Governor-elect Okpebholo, set to be sworn in on Tuesday, hinted at possible investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) once Obaseki leaves office. In a statement released on Sunday, Okpebholo’s media aide, Godspower Inegbe, alleged that Obaseki had vacated the Edo State Government House and dismissed staff as of Friday.
Okpebholo further claimed that Obaseki avoided the airport, opting instead for a discreet exit by road. He said, “As of Friday, November 8, Obaseki’s whereabouts were unknown. He has cleared out the Edo State Government House and abandoned his duties. He left through a land route instead of using the airport. If he truly has the popularity he claims, why disguise and leave by bus?”
He accused Obaseki of attempting to manipulate the narrative, stating, “These distractions won’t work. We are aware of his tactics, and we will continue to inform Edo people of his actions.”
Contrary to these claims, reliable sources confirmed that Obaseki was in Lagos as of Sunday evening. “The rumors of Obaseki fleeing the country are false. He is currently in Lagos, and there is no truth to the governor-elect’s allegations,” a source disclosed.