- Okpebholo alleged Obaseki’s government paid more to a consultant than to a state university in funding.
- The probe will involve interrogation of Obaseki-era officials over alleged mismanagement and financial irregularities.
The governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has restated his resolve to launch a probe into the administration of his predecessor, the former governor, Godwin Obaseki.
Obaseki, who governed Edo from 2016 to 2024 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was defeated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last election.
Speaking at a victory parade held at the Government House in Benin City, Okpebholo told a crowd of party leaders, youths, civil servants, market women and professionals that the books would be opened.
“I will open the books to check the financial dealings and how Obaseki governed Edo State in the last eight years,” the governor declared.
“A university in this state received N47 million under Obaseki’s administration, while he paid a consultant N51 million. This was not good enough. They wanted to continue with this act, but God helped us to push them out.”
Okpebholo disclosed plans to establish a Commission of Inquiry to scrutinise how public funds were managed during the previous administration.
The governor assured that his government would not witch-hunt, but investigate transparently in the interest of Edo people.
He said: “Since I came into the office, I have not sacked anybody but rather continued with the civil servants I met in the office.
“The Head of Service during Obaseki’s administration is still working with me. So also with a lot of Permanent Secretaries in the civil service.”
He insisted that aides and appointees who served under Obaseki must explain how they ran the government in the past eight years.
Okpebholo also accused the PDP and its candidate in the last governorship election, Asue Ighodalo, of hoarding money meant for elections and legal battles.
“They kept money for the election as well as for court cases,” the governor alleged.”
The deputy governor, Dennis Idahosa, expressed joy over the Supreme Court verdict which upheld their victory at the polls.
He commended Okpebholo for guiding the party through various court hurdles, stressing that the focus should now be on service delivery.
Also speaking, a former deputy governor of the state, Comrade Philip Shaibu, said the time for politicking was over.
He added that the Edo people will be grateful for voting for Okpebholo as their governor.
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