…as deputy Omobayo, other govt functionaries ‘relocate’ from Benin
. Obaseki, others’ absence paralyses govt activities
Ben Ogbemudia, Benin
Barely one week after the Edo State governorship election won by the opposition All Progressives Congress, Governor Godwin Obaseki, his deputy, Omobayo and other members of his cabinet may have abandoned the Government House, Benin and allegedly relocated from the state.
APC candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo had emerged the winner of the keenly contested election in the state.
But since the Independent National Electoral Commission officially declared Okpebholo victorious, Obaseki and other members of his cabinet are said to have disappeared from the public glare as their whereabouts remain unknown.
Our correspondent who visited the Edo Government House located in the GRA, Benin, the state capital, on Thursday, however gathered that Governor Godwin Obaseki left the state for Lagos on Wednesday.
Obaseki’s deputy, Marvelous Omobayo, it was also gathered, has since also left the state to an unknown destination.
Recall that the Federal High Court, Abuja, had issued form 49 against Omobayo for impersonating the deputy governor of Edo State.
It was further gathered that Barrister Osarodion Ogie, the deputy governorship candidate to Dr. Asue Ighodalo and Crusoe Osagie, Special advisor to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media have also left Benin for Lagos.
Following the absence of Obaseki and the key officials of his administration from the state, government activities have become partially paralyzed.
The only high ranking officials around, as of the time of our correspondent’s visit to the Benin Government House were the state’s Head of Service and the Secretary to the State Government.
Government workers were observed gathering in small groups discussing the outcome of last Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
While some expressed fear about their faith in the hands of the incoming government of the APC, others were very happy about the change in government in the state.