Godwin Obaseki, former governor of Edo State, has warned that politicians who use power selfishly will face divine punishment, saying political authority is a responsibility given by God to serve the people.

 

 

 

Speaking at an event, Obaseki said the essence of politics is not the acquisition of power for personal gain but the improvement of citizens’ lives.

 

 

 

 

According to him, leaders who enrich themselves and their close associates after gaining power have failed both God and the people they were elected to serve.

 

 

 

 

He described power as a divine trust that must be used in service to humanity and to glorify God. “If you are in politics to get power, and you get the power and it’s only for you and your friends and the people close to you, then God will punish you,” he said.

 

 

 

“Because if God has given you power, and you cannot use that power directly for Him, glorify Him, then I don’t see how you will do it.” The former governor said he has no regrets about his time in office and would not change his approach if given another opportunity.

 

 

 

“What would I do differently if I had another opportunity? Nothing. I will do it in the same way. In fact, I will do it even more. I will do that quicker and faster,” he said.

 

 

 

Reflecting on his administration’s policies, Obaseki said he wished some reforms, particularly in the education sector, had started earlier so their impact would have been more visible by the end of his tenure.

 

 

 

 

He also said his decision to support a successor was deliberate, aimed at ensuring continuity of policies and reforms. “This is why we fought to bring someone I know will continue. Everything I did was planned. All the actions I took were for the benefit of the people. Not for me,” he said.

 

 

 

Obaseki warned that attempts to dismantle programmes introduced by his administration would ultimately harm ordinary citizens rather than former leaders.

 

 

 

“When I see people trying to destroy what we did, I say you add to what you met, not destroy it,” he said. “You’re not hurting me. You remove health insurance or close hospitals down, am I the one that will get treatment from there? It might even be your brother or sister tomorrow who will need treatment from that hospital you have refused to open.

 

 

 

“How can somebody gain power today, and sleep well and be happy, seeing that so many people are not able to eat and suffer? What is the purpose? Because God has given you power, you don’t see the purpose.”