… Goodluck Akpore must apologize to Obaseki within 7 days or face legal action.

We have seen a video currently being circulated online, produced by the media office of Monday Okpebholo, alleging that His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the immediate past governor of Edo State, ‘enjoyed’ financial benefits from two private companies in the State, Okomu Oil Palm Plc and Presco Oil Palm Plc.

To begin with, the two companies mentioned in the one-minute, 22 seconds divisive video are publicly quoted companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and it is, therefore, mind-boggling to hear the commenters in that video make such irresponsible and unfounded claims.

When a company is quoted, there are certain management standards that must be upheld in the operations and management of those companies, in the interest of the public and the companies themselves as the shares owned by private individuals in those companies are monitored and protected by the Nigerian Stock Exchange, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other government financial regulatory agencies.

Therefore, to just appear in a video and make libellous and defamatory comments with the intent to bring His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki into disrepute is not only most irresponsible but, at the very least, silly.

On the allegation of hectares of land used by Presco for their agricultural and industrial operations, it is difficult to understand why Okpebholo and his cohorts cannot see the impact of the investments of Presco in Edo State such that they deserve the space in which they operate.

As of today, due to the nuanced efforts of Governor Obaseki, Edo State is reputed to have the largest area of land under oil palm cultivation in Africa. The state is currently Nigeria’s leading oil palm producer, contributing about 12 percent of the country’s aggregate palm oil production, closely followed by Akwa Ibom and Cross River States. The oil palm industry in Edo State today is worth several billion dollars, providing employment for many residents, supporting host communities, generating revenue for the government, and developing an extensive value chain of industries that support their business.

We are, however, not surprised that these assessments are coming from Okpebholo’s government because, from the outset, we had warned that he lacks experience in private sector operations and has limited knowledge of business and investment. He is a politician out of his depth who came into power without the necessary expertise and a plan for development. On this basis, we are not surprised, because no one can give what they do not have.

But we advise that he understands that government has no business running businesses. The role of government is to act as a regulator, ensuring a conducive and supportive operating environment that allows businesses like Presco and Okomu not only to thrive but to prosper, while also encouraging others like them to come in and invest in the State.

We also want to warn the Chairman of the Onitsha Zone Shareholders Association, Bishop Goodluck Akpore, and his co-traveler, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, to desist forthwith from making libelous statements against the person of His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who is now a private citizen.

We therefore demand an unreserved public apology from the said Bishop Goodluck Akpore, within the next seven days. Failure to do so will result in legal action against him to compel him to prove his allegation as stated in the video.

*Crusoe Osagie,*
Media Adviser to His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki,
Governor of Edo State (2016-2024)