The Edo State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tony Aziegbemi, has stated that former Governor Godwin Obaseki cannot be compelled or pressured to return to the state, emphasizing that the decision is entirely his personal choice.
Aziegbemi made the comments on Wednesday in Benin, responding to calls from the Edo State Government for Obaseki to return and answer questions over alleged financial irregularities during his tenure. He described the demand as unnecessary and reiterated the PDP’s support for the former governor against what he called attempts to undermine his reform and development legacy.
He noted that, like all Nigerians, Obaseki has the constitutional right to live wherever he chooses without fear of harassment or coercion.
“Former Governor Obaseki is a free citizen of Nigeria and can reside wherever he deems fit,” Aziegbemi said. “It is on record that he had previously written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which reviewed Edo State’s financial records for his eight years in office. To the best of our knowledge, no formal invitation has been issued to him by any investigative agency.”
Aziegbemi also criticized the state government for publicly pressuring the former governor. “It is disturbing and unacceptable for any government official to suggest that he must return under intimidation. He will come back to Edo State when he personally chooses to, not because someone in government says he should,” he stated.
In addition, the Edo PDP chairman challenged Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration to provide a transparent account of the funds it has received from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) since taking office.
Presenting figures of statutory allocations to the state and its local government councils, Aziegbemi said records show tens of billions of naira have been received, yet visible improvements in infrastructure or public services are lacking.
“The key question Edo people are asking is simple: where is the impact of these funds on the ground?” he queried.
He further expressed concern that statutory allocations are allegedly being given to unelected local government officials while elected chairmen with court rulings in their favor remain sidelined.
“This raises serious questions about whether public resources are being used for genuine development or are simply being recycled within an illegitimate administrative framework,” Aziegbemi added.
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