Obaseki’s Torino Visit Sparks Debate Among Edo Citizens: Outreach or Image Repair?

Former Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki’s recent meeting with Nigerians in Torino, Italy, has sparked a wave of mixed reactions among Edo citizens at home and abroad. While the ex-governor described the visit as an opportunity to reconnect with Edo indigenes and strengthen diaspora relations, many have interpreted it as a carefully timed attempt to rehabilitate his political image after a divisive eight-year tenure.

The event, held at the Hotel Royal in Torino, drew members of the Edo and Nigerian communities, with speeches, performances, and a lively question-and-answer session. Yet, behind the smiles and photo ops, the reactions that followed tell a more complex story — one of pride, scepticism, and political fatigue.

A Section of Edo Diaspora Welcomes the Gesture

Some Edo indigenes in Italy praised Mr Obaseki’s initiative, describing it as a continuation of his long-held interest in diaspora affairs.

“At least he showed up,” said  “Many leaders forget us once they leave office, but he came to explain his vision and engage directly.”

Others saw it as a refreshing sign of humility and continuity in public service.

“He didn’t have to come here, but he did,” noted Mrs. Joy Oseye, one of the event organizers. “It means he still cares about Edo people, wherever they are.”

But Critics Question the Timing and Motive

Back home in Edo, however, several citizens viewed the meeting with suspicion. For them, the visit felt less like outreach and more like a late attempt at political rehabilitation after an administration many described as “aloof and high-handed.”

“Obaseki had eight years to engage the diaspora,” said Mr. Eromosele Igbinedion, a civil society advocate in Benin City. “Why now, when he’s out of office? It looks like he’s testing the waters for relevance or trying to rewrite his legacy abroad.”

Others accused the former governor of using the event as a platform to defend a record marked by controversy, particularly in his strained relationship with the Oba of Benin and alleged neglect of grassroots communities.

“We remember the crises over traditional institutions, the abandoned projects, and the civil service disputes,” said Mrs. Idia Uyi, a market leader in Ugbowo. “A dinner in Italy doesn’t erase the pain people still feel here.”

The Oba of Benin Issue Still Divides Opinion

During the event, Obaseki addressed questions about his perceived rift with the Oba of Benin, insisting he holds deep respect for the royal institution and denouncing attempts to politicise it.

However, for many Edo people, that statement reopened old wounds.

“Respect isn’t what you say after leaving office,” remarked Chief John Ehigiator, a Benin traditionalist. “It’s what you show while in power. His government often acted as if the palace was irrelevant.”

Social media commentary following the Torino event reflected this sentiment, with users accusing the former governor of trying to “rewrite history.” One viral post on Facebook read:

“He ignored our palace for years, now he’s claiming loyalty overseas. Edo people are not fooled.”

Mixed Legacy on Infrastructure and Development

Obaseki’s remarks in Italy about infrastructure and power generation were also met with scepticism. While he cited the Ossiomo Power Project and several road initiatives, critics argue that much of Edo’s infrastructure remains in decay, especially in rural areas.

“Ossiomo lights up a few government offices, not homes,” said Mr. Augustine Aibangbee, a retired engineer in Ekpoma. “It’s misleading to present it as a state-wide success.”

Others acknowledged progress but faulted the ex-governor’s communication and accessibility.

“He had the ideas, but not the people’s touch,” noted Dr. Faith Omoregie, a university lecturer. “Obaseki was a technocrat, not a populist. That’s why his legacy remains divisive.”

Is This the Start of a Political Comeback?

Political watchers believe Obaseki’s European tour — coming just months after leaving office — could be part of a broader strategy to rebrand himself for future roles, possibly within national or international circles.

“He’s trying to reposition himself as a global statesman, an intellectual reformer,” said Mr. Chris Ize-Iyamu, a public affairs analyst. “It’s a smart move, but Edo people haven’t forgotten the controversies of his second term.”

There are whispers that the former governor is leveraging his connections abroad to build influence within the diaspora, especially among professionals and youth who once admired his reforms.

A Divided Verdict

To his supporters, Godwin Obaseki remains the architect of Edo’s digital governance revolution, the man who restructured civil service operations and introduced transparency tools that still define the state’s bureaucracy.

But to his detractors, he is the embodiment of elite governance — a leader whose intellect sometimes alienated him from the very citizens he sought to uplift.

As one social commentator on X (formerly Twitter) wrote:

“Obaseki’s greatest achievement was modernization; his greatest weakness was isolation.”

Conclusion: Between Legacy and Perception

The Torino meeting may have rekindled goodwill among Edo indigenes in Italy, but it also reignited long-standing debates about Obaseki’s leadership style, political battles, and strained relationships at home.

For some, the ex-governor’s European outreach is a commendable act of statesmanship; for others, it is an attempt at image repair in exile.

Whichever the case, one thing is clear — Edo’s political conversations are far from over. Obaseki’s name still provokes strong emotions, admiration from some, resentment from others.

And as one Edo youth leader summed it up on social media:

“You can fly to Italy and speak to the diaspora, but you can’t escape the verdict of those still walking the broken roads at home.”