Former Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki refutes ₦600 billion Obaseki debt allegation, urging Governor Okpebholo to verify records with the Debt Management Office.
Former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has firmly denied the circulating Obaseki debt allegation, describing the ₦600 billion debt claim as false, politically driven, and misleading.
The former governor stressed that his administration managed Edo’s finances with transparency and left behind a strong fiscal record that can be verified through official channels.
The controversy erupted after Kassim Afegbua, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy under the Monday Okpebholo administration, accused Obaseki of leaving a ₦600 billion debt and abandoning several landmark projects, including the Radisson Hotel and the Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA).
Afegbua’s comments stirred public debate and prompted calls for financial clarification from the new government.
In a swift response, Obaseki, through his Media Adviser, Crusoe Osagie, condemned the Obaseki debt allegation as a deliberate attempt to tarnish his image and misinform the people of Edo State.
He stated that the allegations were “baseless, reckless, and unverified,” urging the government to check its facts with the Debt Management Office (DMO) before spreading misleading information.
According to Obaseki, no government—whether local, state, or federal—has the authority to secure loans or enter into debt agreements without the approval and oversight of the DMO.
He challenged Governor Monday Okpebholo and his team to provide concrete evidence or DMO records to support their claims, asserting that none exist.
Obaseki lamented that such unfounded statements by the state government portrayed Edo as being led by individuals with little understanding of governance and public finance.
“When government officials make careless statements without facts, it damages not only the state’s credibility but also investor confidence,” he said.
The former governor reaffirmed that his administration was guided by principles of fiscal responsibility, emphasizing that all debts incurred during his tenure were for verifiable development projects that followed due process.
He highlighted Edo’s record of attracting private investment and maintaining a sustainable debt profile as proof of prudent financial management.
Addressing the issue of the Radisson Hotel and the Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA), Obaseki explained that these projects were designed to reposition Edo State as a regional hub for culture, art, and tourism.
He noted that both projects were initiated under transparent agreements with international partners and were progressing steadily before the transition of power. “It is unfair to politicize projects that were meant to uplift Edo’s economy and cultural identity,” he remarked.
He further accused some members of the Okpebholo administration of spreading falsehoods to divert attention from their lack of performance.
“Rather than focusing on governance, they are manufacturing lies. Leadership should be about continuity, not destruction,” Obaseki stated.
Obaseki reminded the public that the Debt Management Office keeps comprehensive financial records accessible to anyone seeking the truth.
“If indeed there is a ₦600 billion debt, it would appear in DMO reports. Let them present those documents to Nigerians,” he challenged.
The Obaseki debt allegation, according to political analysts, may be part of a growing rift between the former governor and the new Edo leadership.
As elections approach, some believe the accusations are aimed at discrediting Obaseki’s legacy and weakening his influence within the state’s political structure.
Supporters of the former governor continue to defend his record, describing him as a reformist who modernized governance, improved infrastructure, and championed education and digital reforms.
They argue that his administration prioritized sustainable development and accountability over excessive borrowing.
In the face of the Obaseki debt allegation, Obaseki reiterated his commitment to transparency and truth, urging the current government to focus on delivering results rather than engaging in baseless propaganda.
He warned that misleading the public could harm Edo’s economic reputation and scare away potential investors.
He concluded by reaffirming that Edo’s debt profile under his administration was modest, lawful, and consistent with DMO standards. “The truth is verifiable,” he said. “Edo deserves responsible leadership grounded in facts, not falsehoods.”
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