Edo transition committee adjourns indefinitely over alleged document delay

• Last week, the state government asked Monday Okpebholo, Edo governor-elect, to set up a team for the smooth transition of power.
• In a letter dated October 10 and addressed to the Okpebholo and APC, Joseph Eboigbe, Edo secretary to the state government (SSG), said October 14 is the proposed date for the inaugural meeting of both teams.

Patrick Ikhariale, APC transition committee secretary in Edo, has said that the joint team suspended meetings indefinitely due to the outgoing government’s alleged failure to provide essential documents.

Speaking journalists in Benin City, Ikhariale said both parties agreed to reconvene once the outgoing government supplies the necessary documents and information.

According to him, the APC transition committee engaged in discussions with Godwin Obaseki, the outgoing governor, but crucial documents remain unavailable.

“Unfortunately, the nature of materials that they have supplied to us do not address any of the issues on the table,” Ikhariale said.

“We have interfaced with relevant government officers, including Secretary to State Government, Mr. Joseph Eboigbe, and they concurred to provide the requested documents by October 2024.

“We also had a meaningful and strong discussion. We need a set of documents that will address the issues we have raised, and that is where we are.

“We also agreed that today, he has to discuss with His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki, and get back to us.

“And in any case, the information or documents we’re asking for are in line with global best practices; we are not asking for anything out of the ordinary.

“So it is on record that we have done the needful.

“A letter has been sent to them, and we do hope that what we have discussed and agreed on as at yesterday would be executed for us to progress.

“We are waiting for him to reach out to the governor like he said to know the next line of action to take.

“And we have also, as a committee, said whatever document or information they want to give to us, give it to us at least within 24 hours before the meeting time.

“Hopefully, if today or tomorrow we get the required information and documents, we will reconvene and do the needful.”