Government Urged to Prosecute Obaseki Over Edo Mayhem

Government Urged to Prosecute Obaseki Over Edo Mayhem

The Federal Government has been urged to take decisive action against outgoing Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki by prosecuting him for the unrest following the recent gubernatorial election, in which his party was defeated.

Professor Mike Otabor, Executive Director of the Centre for Political Orientation and Leadership Training, made this call during a workshop titled “Governance for 21st Century African Leaders” held in Abuja.

In his remarks, Professor Otabor questioned the tendency of some African politicians to react violently when they lose elections, while failing to demonstrate similar accountability or gratitude to the electorate when they win. He specifically condemned Governor Obaseki for allegedly inciting violent protests in Benin City in response to his party’s loss in the September 21, 2024, election.

Reflecting on the previous victories of Obaseki in two gubernatorial elections and a local government election, Otabor emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “I monitored the local government election. A popular young candidate received overwhelming support from his community in Edo North and was leading significantly when the results were announced. He did not resort to violence; had he done so, Obaseki would have likely arrested him for causing mayhem.”

Otabor added, “After Obaseki hands over power in November, the Federal Government should arrest him for inciting violence and for attempting to destabilize the state. This would reaffirm the rule of law and serve as a cautionary example to other politicians.”

The professor further criticized those who believe that political power should remain unchecked, likening Obaseki’s behavior to high-handedness. He specifically singled out Yiaga Africa, an election observation group, for their handling of the recent election, accusing them of compromising their integrity by aligning with political interests.

He noted, “Yiaga Africa’s swift condemnation of the election results, despite widespread monitoring by various agencies, raises questions about their objectivity. I had previously respected Yiaga Africa, but their actions now suggest bias.”

Professor Otabor also alleged that Yiaga Africa met with Governor Obaseki in the government house shortly after the election, implying that they were coerced into casting doubt on the legitimacy of the electoral process. “Let Yiaga explain their presence in the Government House, Benin City, while results were still being tallied. We have documentation of this. If they deny it, we will expose them,” he warned.

Finally, he called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate Yiaga Africa’s conduct during the recent election and consider banning them from future monitoring roles if found complicit in any wrongdoing.

By PRNigeria