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Hypocrisy unleashed as former Edo gov preaches against selfish power while his legacy screams abuse
Written By: Emmanuel Ikhenebome
19 Dec 2025 03:20 PM
Benin, Edo – In a stunning display of irony that could only be scripted in the theater of Nigerian politics, former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has publicly decried politicians who wield power for personal gain, invoking divine punishment on those who prioritize self-enrichment over public service.
Yet, Obaseki's own tenure is a glaring testament to the very vices he now condemns, a saga of arbitrary impeachments, denied representations, and judicial sabotage, all seemingly orchestrated to cling to power and settle political scores.
In a recent video shared via @GovernorObaseki on X (formerly Twitter) Friday, Obaseki lamented that "the true purpose of politics is not merely to acquire power but to use it to improve the lives of citizens," warning that leaders who enrich themselves and their cronies "have failed both God and the people."
This pious proclamation comes from a man whose eight-year governorship was marred by actions that disenfranchised millions, undermined democratic institutions, and prioritized vendettas over governance.
Perhaps the most egregious stain on Obaseki's record is his blatant denial of representation to 14 constituencies in the Edo State House of Assembly. Following the 2019 elections, Obaseki, who had defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ensured 14 duly elected lawmakers, most from the opposition APC were not inaugurated, leaving their seats vacant for nearly four years.
This left approximately 1.6 million Edo people without a voice in the state legislature, turning the assembly into a rubber-stamp body dominated by his loyalists.
Critics, including the APC, decried this as a historic travesty that crippled democracy in the state, with Obaseki claiming he lacked the power to reverse it, a feeble excuse that reeks of political maneuvering to consolidate control.
For selfish interests? Absolutely: it neutralized opposition threats and ensured his agenda faced no resistance, all while he preached about serving the people.
Adding insult to democratic injury, Obaseki orchestrated the arbitrary impeachment of his own deputy, Philip Shaibu, in April 2024. Shaibu, once a close ally, fell out with Obaseki over ambitions to succeed him as governor, leading to a sham process where the state assembly conveniently packed with Obaseki's allies impeached him on trumped-up charges of misconduct, perjury, and leaking government secrets.
Eighteen out of 19 assembly members voted for the removal, with the process widely viewed as a kangaroo court devoid of due process.
A Federal High Court later nullified the impeachment in July 2024, ordering Shaibu's reinstatement and exposing the move as politically motivated vengeance.
Yet, Obaseki stubbornly insisted Shaibu "remains impeached," defying the judiciary in a bid to protect his influence ahead of elections.
This wasn't governance; it was a petty power grab, sacrificing institutional integrity for personal political survival.
Obaseki's assault on the rule of law didn't stop there. He repeatedly refused to swear in judges recommended by the National Judicial Council (NJC), a move that crippled Edo's justice system and drew condemnation from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
In one instance, out of eight designated judges, he swore in only five, leaving three in limbo without explanation, prompting a Federal High Court to order him to justify the delay.
His successor, Governor Monday Okpebholo, slammed this as an unforgivable act and promptly swore in the rejected judges upon taking office.
Why the refusal? Speculation points to Obaseki's desire to appoint loyalists or punish those not aligned with his faction, further entrenching his grip on the state apparatus at the expense of impartial justice.
These aren't isolated incidents but a pattern of abuse that screams hypocrisy.
Obaseki's recent sermonizing about divine retribution for selfish politicians is laughable, if not infuriating given how he weaponized his office to disenfranchise voters, oust rivals, and hobble the judiciary. Edo residents endured years of underrepresentation, delayed justice, and political instability, all so Obaseki could pursue his "selfish political interests."
As one observer noted, "The sky didn't fall" when he sidelined the 14 lawmakers, but the damage to democracy was profound.
In the end, Obaseki's words ring hollow. If God is indeed punishing those who misuse power, the former governor might want to look in the mirror. Edo State deserves better than leaders who preach virtue while practicing vice.
As the state moves forward under new leadership, one can only hope the lessons of Obaseki's tenure serve as a cautionary tale against such brazen self-interest.
Yet, Obaseki's own tenure is a glaring testament to the very vices he now condemns, a saga of arbitrary impeachments, denied representations, and judicial sabotage, all seemingly orchestrated to cling to power and settle political scores.
In a recent video shared via @GovernorObaseki on X (formerly Twitter) Friday, Obaseki lamented that "the true purpose of politics is not merely to acquire power but to use it to improve the lives of citizens," warning that leaders who enrich themselves and their cronies "have failed both God and the people."
This pious proclamation comes from a man whose eight-year governorship was marred by actions that disenfranchised millions, undermined democratic institutions, and prioritized vendettas over governance.
Perhaps the most egregious stain on Obaseki's record is his blatant denial of representation to 14 constituencies in the Edo State House of Assembly. Following the 2019 elections, Obaseki, who had defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ensured 14 duly elected lawmakers, most from the opposition APC were not inaugurated, leaving their seats vacant for nearly four years.
This left approximately 1.6 million Edo people without a voice in the state legislature, turning the assembly into a rubber-stamp body dominated by his loyalists.
Critics, including the APC, decried this as a historic travesty that crippled democracy in the state, with Obaseki claiming he lacked the power to reverse it, a feeble excuse that reeks of political maneuvering to consolidate control.
For selfish interests? Absolutely: it neutralized opposition threats and ensured his agenda faced no resistance, all while he preached about serving the people.
Adding insult to democratic injury, Obaseki orchestrated the arbitrary impeachment of his own deputy, Philip Shaibu, in April 2024. Shaibu, once a close ally, fell out with Obaseki over ambitions to succeed him as governor, leading to a sham process where the state assembly conveniently packed with Obaseki's allies impeached him on trumped-up charges of misconduct, perjury, and leaking government secrets.
Eighteen out of 19 assembly members voted for the removal, with the process widely viewed as a kangaroo court devoid of due process.
A Federal High Court later nullified the impeachment in July 2024, ordering Shaibu's reinstatement and exposing the move as politically motivated vengeance.
Yet, Obaseki stubbornly insisted Shaibu "remains impeached," defying the judiciary in a bid to protect his influence ahead of elections.
This wasn't governance; it was a petty power grab, sacrificing institutional integrity for personal political survival.
Obaseki's assault on the rule of law didn't stop there. He repeatedly refused to swear in judges recommended by the National Judicial Council (NJC), a move that crippled Edo's justice system and drew condemnation from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
In one instance, out of eight designated judges, he swore in only five, leaving three in limbo without explanation, prompting a Federal High Court to order him to justify the delay.
His successor, Governor Monday Okpebholo, slammed this as an unforgivable act and promptly swore in the rejected judges upon taking office.
Why the refusal? Speculation points to Obaseki's desire to appoint loyalists or punish those not aligned with his faction, further entrenching his grip on the state apparatus at the expense of impartial justice.
These aren't isolated incidents but a pattern of abuse that screams hypocrisy.
Obaseki's recent sermonizing about divine retribution for selfish politicians is laughable, if not infuriating given how he weaponized his office to disenfranchise voters, oust rivals, and hobble the judiciary. Edo residents endured years of underrepresentation, delayed justice, and political instability, all so Obaseki could pursue his "selfish political interests."
As one observer noted, "The sky didn't fall" when he sidelined the 14 lawmakers, but the damage to democracy was profound.
In the end, Obaseki's words ring hollow. If God is indeed punishing those who misuse power, the former governor might want to look in the mirror. Edo State deserves better than leaders who preach virtue while practicing vice.
As the state moves forward under new leadership, one can only hope the lessons of Obaseki's tenure serve as a cautionary tale against such brazen self-interest.
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