Betsy Obaseki Refutes Opposition Claims Of Federal Might In Edo Election – Independent Newspaper Nigeria

. Says President Tinubu Will Not Destroy His Own Legacy

Edo State First Lady, Her Excellency Betsy Obaseki, has dismissed allegations by the opposition that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) plans to use “federal might” to influence the upcoming Edo State election in their favour.

Responding to questions during an interview on Crack Team TV, hosted by Albert Obaze from Leeds, UK, Mrs. Obaseki firmly characterized the claims as baseless, describing them as a ploy to seek federal backing for dubious schemes.

Reflecting on the 2020 gubernatorial election, she reminded viewers that similar claims of federal intervention were made at the time, yet Governor Godwin Obaseki emerged victorious.

Mrs. Obaseki praised former President Muhammadu Buhari for his democratic stance, asserting that federal power in 2020 was used only to safeguard voters not terrorise citizens nor tamper with election results.

Confident in a similar outcome under President Bola Tinubu, she dismissed the opposition’s claims as unfounded.

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Addressing the opposition’s alleged reliance on federal might, Mrs. Obaseki questioned the plausibility of President Tinubu undermining democratic processes, given his own history as a reformer during his tenure as governor of Lagos State.

She highlighted how Tinubu overcame federal allocation challenges, innovated revenue generation strategies, and laid the groundwork for Lagos’ long-term development through a 25-year plan. “He brought the best hands to work with him and ensured continuity by choosing successors like Fashola,” she noted.

Mrs. Obaseki argued that President Tinubu, who is committed to good governance and continuity, having established same as his main legacy would not disrupt the progress made in Edo under her husband’s administration, especially when the State has received local and international recognitions for its developmental strides.

She pointed to Edo’s 30-year development plan, mirroring Lagos’ model, as evidence of strategic vision and commitment to long-term success.

Now the “father of the nation,” President Tinubu, Mrs. Obaseki believes, would not lend his support to efforts aimed at destabilizing a well-governed state knowing that “when every State begin to tow these paths as exemplified by Edo, Lagos and some other States, one day we will all wake up to a Nigeria of our dreams” she stated.

Mrs. Obaseki however denounced the opposition’s claims of federal might as an attempt to sow discord through lies and propaganda.

She reaffirmed her husband’s positive relationship with President Tinubu and dismissed rumours of any vendetta or federal meddling.

She concluded thus, “President Tinubu is smarter and wiser. He is not at all at their level. He will not destroy his own legacy.”