Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki says civil servants in the state would face negative consequences if the opposition wins the September 21, 2024, governorship election in the state.

Obaseki said this during a thank-you meeting with public servants in Benin, the Edo State capital, on Tuesday, September 17, 2024.

The governor, who highlighted the progress made in technology-driven operations within the state’s civil service, urged voters to make the right decision in Saturday’s election to maintain this momentum.

He warned that electing leaders who lacked experience and ideas could be disastrous for the state.

Obaseki described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, as a capable leader, saying the latter would continue his work.

Obaseki urged voters to defend their votes to ensure Edo State’s continued development.

The governor said: “I came to appreciate and thank you from the bottom of my heart. I wouldn’t have achieved what we achieved without you.

“I am finishing the first part but the journey must not stop. It must continue, the engine of development must continue to run

“The rate at which we need to run will be very high when we make the right decision. We can’t afford any mistakes come Saturday.

“Those who want to take over power by all means are uneducated and have never worked in any better place.

Edo election: 2.2m registered voters collect PVCs ― INEC

“My message to you is that, that is a risk we can’t afford. It is not about Obaseki but democracy and development.

“The risk is about allowing people without ideas of what to do to lead. People who can’t even articulate their ideas, people who can’t read a balance sheet.

“Edo will face a major risk if you miss it on Saturday.

“Any mistake you make will affect you first before others. You will be the first victim.”

On his part, Ighodalo said Obaseki has performed tremendously well as governor, saying the transformation in the civil service was second to none.

The PDP candidate said: “Edo State public and civil service is number one in Nigeria. Obaseki has done well and I will continue from where Obaseki would stop.

“You all here will be my priority, function together, and continue to make Edo state a progressive state and this shall be our focus.”

Also speaking at the event, the Edo State Head of Service (HoS), Anthony Okungbowa, thanked the governor for the reform he had made in the civil service and prayed to God to bless him.

He also thanked the governorship candidate for finding time to come to address them.

Governor Obaseki, thereafter, inaugurated the newly installed Third East/Sakponba Road Junction traffic light.

The Star