The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Sunday advised Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, against dissipating his energy and resources in probing his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, but instead concentrate on the development of the state.
Wike, who was speaking in Benin City, Edo State capital, said probing the former governor would achieve no meaningful results, adding that it was better for Governor Okpebholo to deploy his time and the state’s resources towards achieving his developmental goals for Edo State and its people.
Newsmata.com.ng reports that Governor Okpebholo had vowed immediately after his victory at the Supreme Court to fight Obaseki by making him account for his right years stewardship.
According to a statement by Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, on Monday, the FCT Minister Wike said; “If there is someone who would have encouraged Okpebholo to probe and prosecute Obaseki, that person should be me, but what I suffered in ensuring that he returned for a second term and how he paid me back is now in the past.
“We must pass through this process in life, move on for the development of Edo State. Don’t do it; I’m the one that should have told you pursue this man. I know what I passed through.
“I should be the one to prosecute Obaseki, but what is it in life when God has given you position. If it were to be his power, you won’t be here, but God has told him, ‘you don’t have it and I have given it to whom I want to give’.”
Facing Senator Adams Oshiomhole, also a former governor of the state, Wike said; “Leader, I know how pained you are and what you passed through. I know the sufferings you suffered and it was like a humiliation to you. I was part of it because I humiliated you.
“I apologised on national TV to you. Sorry for what I did to you. Leave it and let them carry their wahala and go; focus on the development of Edo and you will see what you will achieve at the end of the day.”
Wike was in Benin City to commission the New Edo Line terminal, which is the second phase of the Benin Central Bus Terminal which was slated for Monday.
The event was, however, cancelled because of the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari.