By Joachim Okhai.

It was Robert Zoellick that said, and I quote “Corruption is a cancer that steals from the poor, eats away at governance and moral fibre, and destroys trust.”

And George Bernard Shaw said “Power does not corrupt men; fools, however, if they get into a position of power, corrupt power.”

Governor Godwin Obaseki’s, now popularly known as Godwin Seki, tenure as Governor of Edo State exemplifies the result of the toxicity of power when given to the wrong hands. His tenure, as Governor, is marked by significant controversies, allegations of mismanagement, abuse of power and gross corruption. His almost 8years in office constitute a vile era of a megalomaniac and a directionless despot who is a specialist in failure.

History has had cases of megalomaniacs with negative legacies that illustrate that corruption and abuse of power can lead to significant political consequences, including impeachment and removal from office, regardless of how high the occupier of the public office may be.
A few examples of leaders who where impeached to save the integrity of their nations and offices are as follows:

Fernando Collor de Mello
Fernando Collor de Mello, the 32nd President of Brazil, was impeached in 1992. He faced charges of corruption and embezzlement, including allegations that he had accepted millions of dollars in bribes from businesses in exchange for political favors. Collor resigned before the Senate could vote on his impeachment, but he was later found guilty and banned from holding public office for eight years.

Abdurrahman Wahid
Abdurrahman Wahid, the 4th President of Indonesia, was impeached in 2001. He faced allegations of corruption and incompetence, including accusations that he had misused funds from the State Logistics Agency. Wahid was removed from office by the Indonesian People’s Consultative Assembly and his nation saved from the embarrassment of his corrupt leadership.

Joseph Estrada
Joseph Estrada, the 13th President of the Philippines, was impeached in 2000. He faced charges of plunder and corruption, including allegations that he had accepted bribes from illegal gambling operators. Estrada was ousted from office following a popular uprising and was later convicted of plunder, and disgraced out of office to serve as deterrent to other would-be abusers of power of the Philippine people.

From the aforementioned historic examples, you can deduce that Edo State and his future can he set on the right trajectory if Governor Obaseki is served impeachment notice by Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), impeached and stripped of his executive immunity and handed over to EFCC for prosecution and committal to jail for the rest of his life.

*Yes, I Know That The Big Question Many Will Ask Is Why Must Obaseki Be Impeached? *

Allegations of Financial Mismanagement
One of the most significant criticisms of Obaseki’s administration is the substantial increase corrupt practices in Edo State especially witg respect to it’s debt profile. According to data from BudgIT, the state’s debt burden rose by 63.8% from 2016 to 2021. Critics argue that this increase in debt has not translated into corresponding improvements in infrastructure or public services, raising questions about the effective use of borrowed funds. Infact as at May 2024, Edo State debt profile according to Debt Management Office (DMO) stands at N630billion, up from N43billion where he met it 8years ago.
His era of MoU(s) profligracies and arbitrary payments of commissions and questionable fees to his cronies without any visible projects to show is yet another example why he should not be allowed to work free from power by 12th, November 2024, but be impeached now to serve as deterrent to future occupiers of Osadebey Avenue.
Furthermore, Obaseki’s political relationships have also been tumultuous. His fallout with key political allies, including his deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, has been well-documented. Shaibu’s departure from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and his criticisms of Obaseki’s management style highlight deeper issues within the administration.

Also, the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Obaseki’s administration of monumental corruption, calling for investigations into top government officials and contracts awarded. These accusations include allegations of embezzlement and misappropriation of state funds, and it is only the impeachment and trial of Obaseki that can reveal the actual extent of the damaged caused by his abusive and corrupt government in the past 8years.

Impact on Investor Confidence is not also left out. Several controversies surrounding Obaseki’s administration have had a negative impact on investor confidence in Edo State. The perceived instability and allegations of corruption have made potential investors wary, potentially hindering economic growth and development in the region. And it is only the impeachment of Obaseki that can restore the faith of investors in the State again.
Lastly, Obaseki borrowed over $75million and squandered it on what he calls EdoBEST which in reality is EdoWORST.
He should be impeached so that our common patrimony under his custody do not got to waste.

Summarily speaking, the impeachment of Obaseki before November will do Edo State a huge favour, and it will set a new standard of zero tolerance for corruption in Nigeria, and an end to the unheard of era of financial mismanagement in public offices; negative political infighting, and it can make corruption a thing of the past in Nigeria beginning with Edo State.
Governor Obaseki’s impeachment shall underscore the need for greater transparency and accountability in governance to restore public trust and ensure the effective use of state resources in Edo and in Nigeria by extension.
His impeachment will do the good people of Edo State a monumental good because as we speak, he is still accruing more debts and looting more resources to recover what he spent in his failed attempt to install Asue Ighodalo in the just concluded governorship election.
Many Edolites will be surprised to know that he is currently wasting Edo State resources away with the pretense of building a Five-Star Hotel with a whooping sum of N28billion spent thus far to meet the reportedly agreed 85% completion before he takes over the project.

To list all Obaseki’s financial mismanagement and gross atrocities in office is to waste time in doing the needful which is for the State House of Assembly to immediately begin work on Impeaching him and handing him over to EFCC for full investigation, prosecution, and committal to jail for the rest of his life.

EdoTheHeartBeatOfNigeria #ImpeachObasekiNow #EdoMustBeGreatAgain #ANewEdoIsRising