Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, have engaged in a public dispute concerning allegations of a staggering N96 billion misappropriation of local government funds.
During a recent event, Okpebholo announced that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to prosecute several recently impeached local government chairmen accused of embezzling funds from local treasuries, amounting to over N95 billion. The governor indicated that not only these chairmen but also Obaseki and leaders from the factional Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are implicated in the alleged financial misconduct.
In response, Obaseki criticized Okpebholo’s claims as a “desperate attempt to justify an unconstitutional onslaught on elected council officials.”
Okpebholo’s remarks followed the submission of a report by an Administrative Panel of Inquiry, established on December 18, 2024, to investigate the financial activities of the 18 impeached local government chairmen from September 4, 2023, to November 2024. The governor praised the committee for their professionalism in conducting the inquiry, asserting that the era of financial recklessness and lack of transparency in public office is over. He emphasized the need for Nigerians to demand accountability from their elected officials as a means to combat corruption and foster development.
Expressing disappointment with the report’s findings, which implicated the impeached chairmen, Okpebholo vowed to escalate the matter to the EFCC for immediate prosecution based on the committee’s conclusions.
“I want to thank you for a job well done. I carefully listened to the submission of the report. The truth is that the administration of former governor Godwin Obaseki took the Edo people for granted. They took everything belonging to Edo people and channeled it for their personal gains,” he stated.
Governor Okpebholo accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of misappropriating local government funds, asserting, “A lot has happened. The PDP looted the treasury of the Local Governments and stole our collective patrimony, and nobody went after them or took action. This time, things are different. We will go after them and retrieve what they have stolen from Edo people.”
He pledged to present the findings to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to ensure accountability, stating, “They will be made to pay for it. I will personally take this document to the EFCC and ensure that justice is done for this wrong done to Edo people.”
The report, submitted by the panel chairman, Barr. Solomon Imohiosen, revealed that approximately N96 billion was allegedly mismanaged or diverted to private accounts during Obaseki’s tenure.
In response, former Governor Obaseki dismissed the allegations as a politically motivated attack. His media adviser, Osagie, stated, “We have read with disdain a statement by Monday Okpebholo alleging that the elected 18 local government chairmen in Edo State mismanaged N96 billion, in another of Okpebholo’s frantic efforts to justify his unconstitutional onslaught on the elected leadership of the third tier of government.”
Osagie further criticized Okpebholo’s claims, emphasizing, “What is most shocking about the statement is that Okpebholo appears to be completely oblivious of the fact that he does not have supervisory responsibility over the local governments and can therefore not set up any investigation of government officials that are elected into office just like him.”
He also pointed out that the local government chairmen have a stronger claim to their positions than Okpebholo, whose election is currently under scrutiny.
“The election petition tribunal is preparing to deliver justice in the September 21, 2024 election, widely believed to have been rigged,” he added.
Osagie concluded by addressing Okpebholo’s attempts to link Obaseki to the allegations, stating, “Okpebholo should kindly note that Obaseki was never obsessed with control of local government funds during his tenure, as Okpebholo has shown himself to be in the last three months.”
