Crusoe Osagie, Media Adviser to the immediate past Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has lambasted the newly inaugurated administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo for what he describes as a campaign of lies, blackmail, and propaganda aimed at discrediting Obaseki’s achievements. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Osagie asserted that no amount of falsehood could diminish Obaseki’s eight years of transformative governance, which he said set Edo State on a trajectory of growth and prosperity.
Osagie accused the Okpebholo administration of lacking direction and employing baseless allegations as a diversionary tactic to mask its alleged incompetence. According to him, the efforts to tarnish Obaseki’s legacy are futile as the former governor’s contributions to Edo State remain evident and appreciated by the people. He noted that the citizens of Edo are discerning enough to see through what he termed “petty theatrics” orchestrated by the current government.
“The emptiness of the Okpebholo administration was glaring in its recent attempt to tarnish the reputation of Governor Obaseki, whose visionary leadership changed the fortunes of the State and uplifted its people,” Osagie said. He described the government’s claims of banning thuggery as hypocritical, alleging that one of the State’s most notorious thugs, popularly known as Ebo Stone, now occupies significant positions in the administration, including State Coordinator of the Public Safety Response Team and Chairman of the Government Vehicle Recovery Team.
Osagie further criticized the administration’s purported efforts to address cultism, claiming that key members of the government were actively involved in sponsoring criminal gangs. He pointed out that the State experienced a surge in cult-related violence within the first two weeks of Okpebholo’s tenure, with rival gangs allegedly vying for control over motor parks and market revenue.
“The cultists unleashed during the elections have not been reined in and are now engaged in violent turf wars across the State,” Osagie stated. He ridiculed the government’s threats to recover missing vehicles allegedly linked to Obaseki’s administration, arguing that most of these vehicles were in the possession of individuals close to the new administration, including Philip Shaibu, whom he accused of hoarding 21 government vehicles.
Osagie advised Governor Okpebholo to abandon divisive tactics and focus on governance, challenging him to deliver on developmental projects that would benefit the people of Edo State. He emphasized that Obaseki’s legacy is secure, marked by impactful projects that have left an indelible mark across the State.
“Governor Godwin Obaseki has etched his name in gold in the annals of Edo State history with transformative and impactful projects. No amount of blackmail can erase these achievements,” Osagie said.
He called on the current administration to prioritize a clear agenda for the State’s development rather than resorting to propaganda. “The people of Edo State deserve better than this shallow governance. It’s time for Okpebholo to stop the theatrics and get to work,” Osagie concluded.