Supporters Shut Out as Okpebholo Unleashes Anti-Obaseki Bombshell

DDM News

Supporters of Governor Monday Okpebholo were left angry and humiliated on Friday after security personnel at the Edo State Government House denied them entry despite their participation in a celebratory procession following his Supreme Court victory.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that Governor Okpebholo returned to Benin City from Abuja, where the Supreme Court upheld his election as Edo State governor in the disputed 2024 gubernatorial election.

As early as 7:00 a.m., jubilant supporters, including market women and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), gathered at the Benin Airport to welcome the governor. His aircraft landed around 12:40 p.m. to a cheering crowd.

A road procession followed, with supporters chanting victory songs alongside the governor’s motorcade from the airport to the Government House.

However, upon arrival, many were shocked to discover that only Very Important Persons (VIPs) were permitted entry. Security operatives barred others, including foot-soldiers of the APC and loyal followers, from joining the celebrations inside.

“This is betrayal,” lamented Mrs. Ebosele Omogiate. “Even during Obaseki’s worst moments, we were never treated this badly.”

Another supporter said, “I left home before 7:00 a.m., stood in the sun, walked all the way to the Government House, and was locked out. Is this the reward for our loyalty?”

Despite the outrage, Governor Okpebholo, inside the Government House, delivered a blistering critique of the previous administration.

He announced plans to establish a Commission of Inquiry to investigate former Governor Godwin Obaseki’s financial dealings.

Okpebholo alleged that Obaseki ran the government through consultants, looting public funds in the process.

He cited the payment of N6 billion to a single EdoGIS consultant, and another N2 billion for software.

He revealed his administration had replaced the consultant with an in-house system and saved millions.

“A university received only N47 million while a consultant walked away with N51 million. That’s unacceptable,” he said.

He promised Edo people transparency and vowed to expose what transpired in the last eight years. “I will take just two years to reverse the rot they created in eight. Edo people will see the difference.”

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