Reacting to the rumours of fear of arrest, the immediate past Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has stated that he is willing to submit himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) if the anti-corruption agency requires his presence regarding any matters related to his tenure. Speaking on Thursday at the EdoBEST National Results-Sharing Session held in Abuja, an event celebrating the accomplishments of his administration in education, Obaseki emphasized his commitment to transparency, affirming he has "nothing to hide."
Addressing the audience, Obaseki expressed confidence in his administration's focus on impactful governance rather than yielding to external pressures. "I’m not afraid of the EFCC. Why should I be? What is important is focus. I came into office and ignored the noise, concentrating on what I felt was important, and today you can see the results," he said. Obaseki noted his readiness to cooperate with any investigations, asserting that his record would speak for itself.
His remarks come amid rising political tensions in Edo State, where opposition parties, particularly the All Progressives Congress (APC), have questioned his administration's handling of public funds. Despite the criticisms, Obaseki defended his administration's achievements, particularly in the education sector, as a testament to his integrity and dedication to public service.
Responding to allegations and criticism, Obaseki accused the APC and other opposition groups of pursuing "unnecessary and silly petitions" instead of addressing Nigeria's pressing challenges. He called on his political opponents to focus on national progress rather than personal vendettas. "The suffering is too much. We, who are privileged, should focus on making a positive impact, not on side issues like vendetta,” he remarked, describing his critics as "bitter" and driven by envy.
Reflecting on his administration's legacy, Obaseki highlighted significant reforms in the educational sector. Under his leadership, more than 400,000 children were enrolled in schools, a milestone he credited to data-driven policies designed to deliver measurable outcomes. He explained, "You can come to Edo and see the data. We have enrolled over 400,000 children, and you can identify them because the data on every child is there."
A notable achievement of his administration includes the reconstruction of a technical college that provides vocational training in areas like catering, mechanics, bricklaying, and construction. This initiative aims to equip young people with skills for self-reliance and meaningful contributions to society.
Obaseki also voiced his opposition to a proposal by the Nigerian Academy of Letters to transfer the management of unity schools to state governments. He argued that these institutions, originally established as elite schools for the best and brightest students, should remain under the administration of both public and private sectors to maintain high standards. "The original intention of unity schools was to make them elite institutions for the best and brightest," Obaseki explained, citing the keynote address by Prof. Olubayi Olubayi, who had spoken on the need for these schools to nurture future leaders.
Concluding his address, Obaseki underscored the priority of educational quality over administrative control, stating, “What matters is not ownership but the output and quality of education produced by these institutions.”
