Former Edo State governor Godwin Obaseki has accused his successor, Monday Okpebholo, of sponsoring attacks against him and has warned that he will fight back. Mr Obaseki released an online video in which he denied having a feud with the current governor but said he was forced to reply because of alleged threats and violent acts directed at him.
“Those who live by sword die by sword. To tell the governor or whatever he calls himself that when you start with violence, you reap violence,” the former governor stated. He said he had kept silent since the new administration took office to allow it time to govern, but recent events left him no choice.
Mr Okpebholo had claimed that Mr Obaseki was unpopular in Edo, saying, “Everybody is for Asiwaju. Who is Obaseki? Does he have one anywhere here? Let him come here now. He cannot come. His poor record will prevent him from going to Edo. Obaseki dares not come here,” in a recent interview.
Mr Obaseki criticised what he described as direct threats and reported attacks on his supporters. He said his team was targeted at an event in Mowa and that more than 10 people attacked him in Manchester. He accused the governor of holding a press conference to warn him not to visit Benin and said such actions amounted to threats. He said in part, “Then suddenly you came to attack at the place in Mowa, singing and threatening me. That’s not enough. Over 10 people came to Manchester to attack me. So, who has started this violence? Is it me?
“Last week, this governor had a disgraceful press conference to threaten me that I shouldn’t come to Benin, that when I come to Benin, he will show me. When I am ready to go, you’ll be informed. This is threat. And if I respond, nobody should hold me responsible. So I’m going to fight back,” said Mr Obaseki.
The spokesman for Governor Okpebholo, Fred Itua, did not reply to requests for comment on Mr Obaseki’s claims.
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