Former Governor Godwin Obaseki has accused his successor, Monday Okpebholo, of sponsoring attacks against him and has vowed retaliation.
In a video online, Mr Obaseki dismissed any suggestion of conflict between him and the incumbent governor, saying he was only compelled to issue a response due to alleged attacks and threats against him.
“Those who live by sword die by sword. To tell the governor or whatever he calls himself that when you start with violence, you reap violence,” the former governor stated. “Since the emergence of his administration, I haven’t said a word. I said to myself: Let me give them the opportunity to also serve.”
Mr Okpebholo had said in a recent interview that Mr Obaseki was unpopular in Edo.
“Everybody is for Asiwaju. Who is Obaseki? Does he have one anywhere here? Let him come here now. He cannot come. His poor record will prevent him from going to Edo. Obaseki dares not come here,” Mr Okpebholo said.
However, the former governor slammed Mr Okpebholo for threatening him not to enter Benin.
“Then suddenly you came to attack at the place in Mowa, singing and threatening me. That’s not enough. Over 10 people came to Manchester to attack me. So, who has started this violence? Is it me?
“Last week, this governor had a disgraceful press conference to threaten me that I shouldn’t come to Benin, that when I come to Benin, he will show me. When I am ready to go, you’ll be informed. This is threat. And if I respond, nobody should hold me responsible. So I’m going to fight back,” said Mr Obaseki.
Chief press secretary to Mr Okpebholo, Fred Itua, did not respond to a request for comments on Mr Obaseki’s allegations.
