'God Forbid I Become Godfather' - Obaseki

The Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has said that he could never become a godfather, adding that "I should be dealt with accordingly".

The governor stated that gofatherism is "dangerous to the concept of democracy."

Obaseki said, “God forbid I become a godfather, I should be dealt with accordingly because it is dangerous to the concept of democracy."

According to the governor, the role of the godfather lies outside the statutes enshrined in the constitution.

He said, “The godfather acts outside of the constitution. He now controls people who are constitutional players.

“If we allow such a situation to continue, it will be worse than military rule. When people who have nothing at stake, who have no checks and balances in them can just arbitrarily decide that this is the way the constitution can be interpreted, that is why the concept is wrong."

Obaseki's rejection of the godfather status was stated during his 'thank you' visit to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Buhari disclosed that he had given the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, and other heads of security agencies an order to refrain from interfering in the polls.

READ ALSO: Obaseki Pays 'Thank You' Visit To Buhari, Clears Air On His Rumoured Plan To Return To APC

He said, “If contestants have too much money and they decide to spray, so be it. But what I insist is, nobody should go and raise a counterforce to the government, arm heavily-drugged thugs to go and humiliate people.

“I want Nigerians to appreciate that I respect them as Nigerians and that I am bound by the oath I have taken, that their security is in the hands of God and in the hands of the government, which I am leading.”