Outgoing Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has expressed his readiness to face the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) if called upon, stating he has no fear of investigation into his eight-year tenure. Speaking to reporters in Abuja during the EdoBEST National Results-Sharing Session, Obaseki said he is willing to submit himself to the EFCC to review his stewardship, emphasizing that he has led Edo State transparently and to the best of his ability.
Obaseki noted his accomplishments, particularly in education, which he sees as a legacy of his administration. He highlighted significant reforms through the EdoBEST program, which has enrolled over 400,000 children and redefined education in the state by linking it to real-world skills and societal needs. “We focused on what matters most to Edo people, implementing large-scale reforms in education and other sectors,” he said.
The governor addressed ongoing petitions from political opponents, labeling them as “unnecessary and silly” and a product of bitterness and envy. He argued that his achievements have attracted resentment from rivals who, according to him, “cannot show as much of their accomplishments.” Despite the attacks, Obaseki reaffirmed his commitment to his work and dismissed the notion of political fear, stating, “If the EFCC wants me, I can willingly turn myself in. I have nothing to hide.”
Obaseki also highlighted the urgency of addressing Nigeria’s pressing issues, particularly the need to alleviate the hardships many Nigerians are currently facing. He called on political parties, especially the opposition, to concentrate on improving the welfare of citizens rather than pursuing vendettas.
In education, Obaseki opposed the Nigerian Academy of Letters’ suggestion to transfer unity schools to state governments, advocating instead for a partnership between the private sector, public sector, and federal government to sponsor these institutions to meet global standards. He echoed Professor Olubayi Olubayi’s vision for unity schools to be elite institutions that foster national unity and excellence. “Unity schools should nurture our best minds from across the country, providing them with resources to excel and become leaders in innovation and policy,” he suggested, referencing India’s successful model.
Obaseki concluded by expressing pride in his administration’s legacy, noting projects like the newly commissioned technical college that equip students with practical skills in trades like catering, mechanics, and construction. He emphasized that Edo’s education reforms aim to create self-reliant graduates who contribute meaningfully to society, a philosophy he hopes will be adopted more broadly in Nigeria.
In his final remarks, Obaseki underscored that the true measure of success lies not in ownership but in the quality of outcomes, urging the nation to prioritize output over control in initiatives like unity schools and other development efforts.
