The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has leveled accusations against the government of Governor Monday Okpebholo, alleging that more than N30 billion left in the state’s coffers by former Governor Godwin Obaseki has been squandered in the two weeks since Okpebholo’s inauguration.
Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, the PDP’s caretaker committee chairman in the state, made these claims during a press conference titled “State of the Nation Address.” He suggested that the funds were misallocated to reward political “godfathers” who supported Okpebholo in the September 21, 2024 governorship election.
Aziegbemi criticized the APC-led administration for failing to pay the state’s civil and public servants their November salaries, contrasting this with the record of the previous PDP administration under Obaseki, where salaries were reliably paid on or before the 26th of each month.
He also alleged that Okpebholo’s government had purchased over N5 billion worth of vehicles within two weeks without following proper procurement procedures.
Furthermore, Aziegbemi claimed that the new administration was seeking to legitimize over N2 billion in inauguration expenses, putting the Edo State Procurement Act in jeopardy.
“For eight years, the PDP administration ensured salaries were paid on or before the 25th of each month. As it stands, no one in the state has received a credit alert for November 2024 salaries despite the Obaseki-led administration leaving over N30 billion in the state’s accounts,” he stated.
He continued: “What has been done with that money? It has been misappropriated and shared among their godfathers for their roles in undermining the people’s will.”
Aziegbemi added that as of now, there have been no alerts for salary payments, and pointed out that Governor Okpebholo’s administration has procured a large number of vehicles under questionable circumstances, leading to tensions with civil servants at the Governor’s office due to inadequate documentation.
In response to these allegations, the Edo State Government affirmed that Governor Monday Okpebholo would unveil the perceived mismanagement during the PDP’s eight years in power.
Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, stated that attempts to blackmail the Okpebholo administration would not deter them from reclaiming the people’s wealth from a handful of corrupt individuals. Itua emphasized that the government, in its first 14 days, is committed to rapid development in Edo State and remains focused on meeting the expectations of its citizens.
