Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has cautioned Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo against launching any probe into the administration of his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki. Instead, Wike urged the governor to prioritise policies that would drive development in the state.
Wike’s advice comes in response to earlier comments by former Edo governor and current senator, Adams Oshiomhole, who on Friday encouraged Okpebholo to scrutinise Obaseki’s tenure.
The rift between Oshiomhole and Obaseki has remained a defining feature of Edo politics in recent years. Their relationship soured ahead of Obaseki’s re-election bid after Oshiomhole, then national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, vowed to block his second term.
Following the fallout, Obaseki defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, where he secured re-election with significant support from Wike, sidestepping Oshiomhole’s political machinery.
At the twilight of his administration, Obaseki fell out with Wike and the FCT minister, in turn, supported Okpebholo and mobilised against the candidate of Obaseki in the 2024 governorship election, Asue Ighodalo.
Speaking at a victory celebration of the Supreme Court judgment, Oshiomhole said, “You now have the time to look into that hotel about which they say Edo money, in tens of billions of naira, was spent, and now they claim it’s just a minority shareholding.
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“You have time to revisit all those roads that were built at the worst costs compared to the ones I built and that are still there. Governor Obaseki must come out of hiding to answer these questions.”
After Senator Adams Oshiomhole’s recent comments urging scrutiny of Godwin Obaseki’s tenure, Governor Monday Okpebholo signalled readiness to establish a commission of inquiry into the former governor’s administration. Addressing party leaders, civil servants, traders, and youths, Okpebholo pledged to thoroughly examine the records left behind.
However, Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has urged caution. Speaking during his visit to Benin on Sunday, where he inaugurated the New Edo Line Terminal – part of the second phase of the Benin Central Bus Terminal project – Wike warned that launching a probe against Obaseki would be unproductive. According to him, such a move risks distracting the new administration from its core responsibility of advancing development in Edo State.