Godwin Obaseki, former governor of Edo state, has warned that public office holders who deploy authority for personal gain rather than public good will face divine consequences.
Speaking in a video posted on his official X account, the former governor said politics should be about service to the people and not the mere pursuit of influence.
He stated that leaders who exploit power to enrich themselves and a narrow circle of associates betray both their divine trust and the electorate.
Obaseki described political authority as a sacred responsibility that must be exercised in ways that uplift society and honour 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.”
Reflecting on his tenure, Obaseki said he harbours no regrets about his leadership choices and would repeat the same approach if given another mandate.
“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.
He noted that although his administration prioritised education reforms, he wished some initiatives had commenced earlier to allow for deeper impact.
Obaseki said his decision to back a successor was intentional and aimed at preserving policy direction and reform continuity.
“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.
He cautioned that dismantling programmes introduced by his government would ultimately hurt citizens rather than former office holders.
“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.”