Obaseki’s Assault on Democracy: A Governor Who Ignores Court Orders, Dismisses the Rule of Law

 Edo deserves better than a governor who ignores democracy when it suits him, but weaponizes it when it threatens his hold on power. 

Governor Godwin Obaseki has never been an advocate for democracy or the rule of law. His administration has been marked by blatant disregard for court orders, systematic weakening of democratic institutions, and an outright refusal to respect legal frameworks. Under his watch, the people of Edo State have seen a continuous erosion of democratic norms, with the governor operating as if laws and courts are merely inconveniences to his political agenda.

It is ironic, therefore, to see the same Governor Obaseki and his political allies now attempting to challenge the credibility of the free and fair elections held on September 21st, 2024. The people of Edo went to the polls, exercised their democratic rights, and spoke decisively in favor of the APC’s candidate, but Obaseki and his cronies have refused to accept the will of the people. Instead of seeking redress in court, as they loudly claim to have evidence of electoral malpractice, they are choosing a more insidious route: mobilizing vulnerable groups to stage protests.

Rather than focus on legal channels, Obaseki is pouring billions into mobilizing married women, widows, and widowers who have been neglected by his administration for the past eight years. These same individuals, whom he has failed to empower, are now being offered a meager ₦5000 to gather at INEC offices in a spectacle of false protest. It is a shameful act of desperation, aimed not at securing justice, but at creating chaos in the hopes of delegitimizing an election that was transparent, credible, and democratic.

The hypocrisy is glaring. For eight years, these groups cried out for support from the Obaseki-led government and received nothing. No empowerment schemes, no significant welfare programs, no economic relief—just promises unfulfilled. Now, in a cynical twist, they are being used as political pawns in a scheme designed to disrupt the peace and stability of Edo State.

It is evident that Governor Obaseki and his party cannot muster the courage to face the truth in court. Instead, they resort to cheap political tricks, using the same people they’ve ignored for years to fight a battle that should be waged in the legal arena. If Obaseki has evidence of malpractice, the courts are open—let him prove his case there. But until then, the people of Edo State can see through these protests for what they are: a desperate attempt by a governor who has never respected the rule of law to avoid facing the consequences of his failures.

Edo deserves better than a governor who ignores democracy when it suits him, but weaponizes it when it threatens his hold on power. The free and fair election of September 21st was a victory for the people, and no amount of manipulation or intimidation can change that.

By Comrade Michael Abu

DG

Nation focus/ Angel Mike's Media. 

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