APC Boycotts Meeting with Edo Government Over Lack of Necessary Documents

The All Progressives Congress (APC) transition committee announced on Thursday that they boycotted a joint meeting with the outgoing Edo State government’s committee due to the latter’s failure to provide essential documents for a smooth transition process.

Chris Nehikhare, the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, had previously accused the APC team of acting like a probe committee. He claimed they were requesting documents that only the outgoing governor could supply. Nehikhare assured that a comprehensive handover note would be delivered to the incoming government on November 12, 2024.

In response, Patrick Ikhariale, Secretary to the APC Transition Committee, released a statement in Benin City, refuting the accusations. He emphasized that the outgoing administration led by Governor Godwin Obaseki had not furnished the necessary documents for a seamless transition. “This lack of information has impeded the work of the APC Transition Committee,” he stated.

Ikhariale further criticized the state government for being evasive and shifting focus away from the core purpose of the transition. He reiterated that the APC committee had not transformed into a probe panel, asserting that requests for information are standard practice in transitions globally.

The documents requested by the APC committee include a comprehensive list of assets and liabilities, details on Edo State assets located outside the state, and reports on the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from 2020 to the present. They also seek information on the Derivation Fund, legal obligations, total indebtedness, approved contracts, and the structure of all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), including human resource records.

Additional requests include all annual financial audit reports, the 2024 appropriation performance, and details of public-private partnerships (PPPs) and fiscal instruments. The committee also wants a report on all assets sold by the state since 2020, bank balances across financial institutions, and any ongoing arrangements with federal agencies.

Ikhariale concluded by stating that the status reports should comprehensively cover all aspects of governance, detailing financial commitments related to various projects and responsibilities of the government.