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Inside Edo
Obaseki: 'But you set up commission of inquiry to probe Amechi', Edo residents knocks Wike, backs Okpebholo
Written By: Emmanuel Ikhenebome
16 Jul 2025 03:57 PM
Benin, Edo – Some residents of Edo state on Wednesday berated the minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, following his advice to governor Monday Okpebholo not to probe his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki.
The residents who spoke with our correspondent in Benin City noted that as governor of Rivers state, Wike set up a judicial commission of inquiry to probe the administration of his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi.
They maintained that Nigeria was a democratic state, hence the probe call by governor Okpebholo was welcomed as it would promote accountability and prevent the abuse of power by state officials.
Recall Okpebholo, while addressing the crowd after the Supreme Court affirmed his 2024 governorship election victory, declared that he would set up a Commission of Inquiry to probe the Obaseki administration.
“I will open the books to check the financial dealings and how Obaseki governed Edo State in the last eight years.", Okpebholo told the gathering at the government house
However, Wike who was in Benin to inaugurate the new Edo Line Terminal advised the governor against the move.
“If there is someone who would have encouraged Okpebholo to probe and prosecute Obaseki, that person should be me. However, 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. Therefore, don’t do it.", Wike told his hosts
Reacting, a Benin-based media consultant, Victor Ebome, explained that the probe will help deepen democracy in the state, where the government will be truly accountable to the people.
According to him, probing the previous administrations will discourage corruption, and arbitrary decision-making by successive administration.
"Wike probed Amaechi. He should not turn around and advise otherwise, rather he should support Okpebholo to also probe Obaseki, and if he likes to add others before Obaseki, let him do it.
"This will promote good governance, by ensuring public officials are accountable to the people, to prioritize the people's needs, that will in turn build public trust", the geopolitical analyst maintained
Also speaking, Madam Maria Iguodala commended governor Okpebholo for the declaration to probe the Obaseki-led administration.
Madam Iguodala, a trader at the popular New Benin market urged the governor to "go on" with the probe in the interest of Edo people, to ensure every taxpayers money is accounted for.
"People like Wike may not like it that Okpebholo wants to probe Obaseki, but the governor is working for Edo people. He should be accountable to them, to tell them how their resources were spent", She told our correspondent
In the same vein, a senior official in the state ministry of justice kicked against the FCT minister's advice, which according to her "should not be", as "probe should be the standard to keep public officials in check".
The official who pleaded anonymity as she was not authorized to speak to the press, challenged public officials to be transparent and accountable to the people.
"No one should be scared of probes if they have nothing to hide. And no one should be discouraged from probing anyone as long as it is done within the ambit of the law", She told BENDEL Mirror
A former governor of the state and the Senator representing Edo north, Adams Oshiomhole, also backed Okpebholo to investigate the immediate past administration, saying it was time "for Obaseki to come out from hiding to answer" questions.
The residents who spoke with our correspondent in Benin City noted that as governor of Rivers state, Wike set up a judicial commission of inquiry to probe the administration of his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi.
They maintained that Nigeria was a democratic state, hence the probe call by governor Okpebholo was welcomed as it would promote accountability and prevent the abuse of power by state officials.
Recall Okpebholo, while addressing the crowd after the Supreme Court affirmed his 2024 governorship election victory, declared that he would set up a Commission of Inquiry to probe the Obaseki administration.
“I will open the books to check the financial dealings and how Obaseki governed Edo State in the last eight years.", Okpebholo told the gathering at the government house
However, Wike who was in Benin to inaugurate the new Edo Line Terminal advised the governor against the move.
“If there is someone who would have encouraged Okpebholo to probe and prosecute Obaseki, that person should be me. However, 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. Therefore, don’t do it.", Wike told his hosts
Reacting, a Benin-based media consultant, Victor Ebome, explained that the probe will help deepen democracy in the state, where the government will be truly accountable to the people.
According to him, probing the previous administrations will discourage corruption, and arbitrary decision-making by successive administration.
"Wike probed Amaechi. He should not turn around and advise otherwise, rather he should support Okpebholo to also probe Obaseki, and if he likes to add others before Obaseki, let him do it.
"This will promote good governance, by ensuring public officials are accountable to the people, to prioritize the people's needs, that will in turn build public trust", the geopolitical analyst maintained
Also speaking, Madam Maria Iguodala commended governor Okpebholo for the declaration to probe the Obaseki-led administration.
Madam Iguodala, a trader at the popular New Benin market urged the governor to "go on" with the probe in the interest of Edo people, to ensure every taxpayers money is accounted for.
"People like Wike may not like it that Okpebholo wants to probe Obaseki, but the governor is working for Edo people. He should be accountable to them, to tell them how their resources were spent", She told our correspondent
In the same vein, a senior official in the state ministry of justice kicked against the FCT minister's advice, which according to her "should not be", as "probe should be the standard to keep public officials in check".
The official who pleaded anonymity as she was not authorized to speak to the press, challenged public officials to be transparent and accountable to the people.
"No one should be scared of probes if they have nothing to hide. And no one should be discouraged from probing anyone as long as it is done within the ambit of the law", She told BENDEL Mirror
A former governor of the state and the Senator representing Edo north, Adams Oshiomhole, also backed Okpebholo to investigate the immediate past administration, saying it was time "for Obaseki to come out from hiding to answer" questions.
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