First Lady of Edo State, Her Excellency Betsy Obaseki has refuted claim by the opposition that the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) plans to use federal might to influence the upcoming Edo State election in their favor.
Gatekeepers News reports that the first lady during an interview on Crack Team TV, hosted by Albert Obaze from Leeds, UK, described them as unfounded and a ploy to seek federal backing for dubious schemes.
Reflecting on 2020 governorship election, Betsy revealed that similar claims of federal intervention were made at the time, yet her husband emerged victorious.
She praised former President Muhammadu Buhari for his democratic stance, adding that federal power in 2020 was used only to safeguard voters, not to tamper with election results.
The first lady expressed confidence that there will be similar outcome under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Addressing the opposition’s alleged reliance on federal might, Betsy 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 the presisent overcame federal allocation challenges, innovated revenue generation strategies, and laid the groundwork for Lagos’ long-term development through a 25-year plan.
She added, “He brought the best hands to work with him and ensured continuity by choosing successors like Fashola.”
Betsy affirmed that Tinubu would not disrupt the progress made in Edo under her husband’s administration—especially when the state has received international recognition for its development.
The first lady spoke on Edo’s 30-year development plan, mirroring Lagos’ model, as evidence of strategic vision and commitment to long-term success.
She said, “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. “If every state governor begins to tow these paths set out in Edo and Lagos, one day we will all wake up to a good Nigeria.”
Betsy denounced the opposition’s claims of federal might as an attempt to sow discord through lies and misrepresentation.
She reaffirmed her husband’s positive relationship with President Tinubu and dismissed rumors of any vendetta or federal meddling.
Betsy concluded, “President Tinubu is smarter and wiser. He is not at their level at all.”
