Oshiomhole Urges Governor Okpebholo to Investigate Obaseki After Supreme Court Victory

Following the Supreme Court’s affirmation of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s election, former Edo State Governor and APC chieftain, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, has called on the new governor to probe the administration of his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, over alleged financial mismanagement and questionable infrastructure projects.

Oshiomhole made the remarks on Thursday, shortly after the apex court dismissed the appeal filed by PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo, which challenged Okpebholo’s victory in the 2024 governorship election. The Supreme Court upheld Okpebholo’s win, citing lack of credible evidence to support claims of over-voting and electoral irregularities.

“You now have the time to look into that hotel where they say Edo money running into tens of billions was spent, and they now claim it’s just a minority shareholding,” Oshiomhole stated, referring to controversial investments linked to the Obaseki administration.

“Revisit the roads built under questionable terms, many of which pale in comparison to those built during my tenure. Obaseki must come out of hiding and give answers.”

Beyond infrastructure concerns, Oshiomhole urged Okpebholo to unite the state politically, noting Edo’s minority status in national politics and the need for cohesion to achieve meaningful development.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Okpebholo winner of the 2024 election with 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo, who polled 247,655 votes. The Supreme Court’s ruling brings an end to months of legal battles following the election.

In a swift move following the verdict, Governor Okpebholo approved the establishment of a 14-member Edo State Assets Verification Committee. According to a statement from his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the committee will audit assets and liabilities inherited from the previous administration, citing “scanty and limited” transition documents.

Reacting to the development, Obaseki’s spokesperson, Crusoe Osagie, dismissed the initiative as a politically motivated witch-hunt. He accused the new administration of using probes as a smokescreen to hide its lack of preparedness.

“This so-called Assets Verification Committee is nothing more than a tool for vendetta, orchestrated by political godfathers who are uncomfortable with Obaseki’s legacy of transparency and reform,” Osagie said.

In response, APC’s Publicity Secretary in Edo State, Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, defended the committee’s creation, stressing that the move is essential for transparency, accountability, and responsible governance.

The unfolding political dynamics in Edo signal not only a shift in leadership but also a brewing tension over past governance practices and the direction of the state under Governor Okpebholo. As the probe looms, the spotlight remains firmly on how both the new and former administrations will navigate the coming months.