Wike Urges Okpebholo Not to Probe Obaseki, Calls for Focus on Edo’s Development

BENIN CITY, Nigeria — Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has advised the newly sworn-in governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, against initiating any probe into the tenure of his predecessor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki. Instead, Wike urged the governor to channel his efforts and the state’s resources toward the development of Edo.

Focus on Governance, Not Probes, Wike Advises

During a visit to Edo State, Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, emphasized that embarking on a probe against Obaseki would yield no significant benefits to the people of the state. The minister’s remarks were contained in a statement released by his spokesperson, Mr. Lere Olayinka.

“If there is someone who would have encouraged Okpebholo to probe and prosecute Obaseki, that person should be me,” Wike stated. “However, what I suffered in ensuring that he returned for a second term and how he paid me back is now in the past. We must pass through this process in life, move on for the development of Edo.”

He added that using public office to settle personal scores is counterproductive. “Don’t do it. I’m the one that should have told you to pursue this man because I know what I passed through,” he told the new governor. “But if it were to be his power, you wouldn’t be here, but God has told him, ‘you don’t have it, and I have given it to whom I want to give it to.’”

A Personal Reflection and Political Apology

In a moment of candor, Wike extended an apology to former Edo State Governor and APC chieftain, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, acknowledging the role he played in what he described as a political humiliation during the 2020 governorship election, in which Obaseki secured re-election against the odds.

“Leader, I know how pained you are and what you passed through; I know it was like a humiliation to you,” Wike said. “I was part of it because I humiliated you while supporting Obaseki. I apologised to you on national TV, and I am still saying sorry for what I did to you.”

Wike’s apology marks a significant shift in tone from the political tensions that once characterized his support for Obaseki during the fallout with Oshiomhole and the APC. He urged all parties to move forward and let bygones be bygones, calling it a learning moment in the country’s democratic journey.

Call for Unity and Development in Edo

The FCT Minister called on Governor Okpebholo to prioritise governance and service delivery to the people of Edo State, rather than being distracted by past grievances or political vendettas. According to Wike, such distractions often derail administrations and stunt the progress of the state.

“Let Obaseki and his team carry their problems and go,” he advised. “Focus on the development of Edo and you will see what you will achieve at the end of the day.” Wike encouraged Okpebholo to seize the opportunity to make a mark and uplift the living standards of Edo citizens.

Wike’s remarks appear to be aimed at setting a tone of reconciliation and forward-looking leadership in Edo State, especially after a tense political season that saw the exit of Obaseki and the entrance of a new administration under the APC.

Edo Line Terminal Event Cancelled Due to Buhari’s Death

Wike had travelled to Benin City for the scheduled inauguration of the newly completed Edo Line Terminal, part of the second phase of the Benin Central Bus Terminal. However, the event was cancelled in respect of the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, whose burial was slated for Tuesday, July 15, in Daura, Katsina State.

While the commissioning did not hold, Wike used the occasion to reaffirm the importance of infrastructure development and good governance, noting that such projects were necessary to ease transportation and boost the state economy.

The newly constructed terminal is part of an ongoing transformation in Edo’s transport system, and despite the cancellation, Wike’s presence underscored federal support for infrastructure projects in the state.

Political Winds Shift as Edo Awaits New Era

As Edo State transitions into a new political era under Governor Monday Okpebholo, Wike’s visit and counsel highlight the evolving dynamics in Nigerian politics, where former rivals seek reconciliation and unity for the sake of progress.

Observers see Wike’s comments as an attempt to deescalate tensions and prevent Edo from descending into post-administration investigations that have characterized many transitions in the country. Whether Governor Okpebholo will heed the minister’s advice remains to be seen, but the call for peace and focus on development has set the tone for what could be a pivotal era in Edo State’s history.