Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Tuesday in Benin said that he has no regrets whatsoever in forgiving Tony Adun, aka Tony Kabaka.
Tony Kabaka, who was recently featured in a BBC documentary in which he threatened to expose the links between Nigerian politicians and ‘Black Axe’ cultists or other criminal organisations.
He is also a youth leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported.
While addressing leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in his Oredo Local Government Area of the state, Obaseki said he had no regret forgiving Tony Kabaka.
The governor’s reaction was coming on the heels of social media comments that trailed the Christmas gifts of a cow and bags of rice to Tony Kabaka after he begged the governor for forgiveness and, according to a viral video, gave his life to Christ.
In 2020, Obaseki’s government demolished one of Tony Kabaka’s properties, an action that was linked to political warfare. But things seemed to have changed since the APC youth leader openly begged for mercy.
“Since last night, I have been hearing lots of comments that I gave cow and rice to Kabaka. I read some people who said they are my supporters and I felt bad. I say they are not my supporters,” NAN quoted Obaseki to have said.
“This is Christmas, we are celebrating Christ, the basis of our Christianity and religion. Before politics, we are human beings, so if we cannot show humanity, then we will not be humble politicians.
“If a grandfather can come out in the social media to beg for forgiveness, go to church and beg for forgiveness, who am I not to forgive the person.
“I am a mere mortal. I am governor today because of God, so if I now play God I am not sure God will forgive me”, he said.
He said those commenting on social media can go ahead, adding that they are not Christians and they are not leaders.
The governor said that he was trying to be magnanimous in victory by bringing everyone together, irrespective of their political party affiliation.
Earlier, Sen. Matthew Urhoghide, representing Edo South Senatorial District, urged PDP members to be loyal to the governor, saying that politics is a game of numbers.
Via News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
