Monday Okpebholo announces plan to probe Obaseki’s administration

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has reaffirmed his commitment to investigate the administration of his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki.

Nigeria News 247 reports that Obaseki, who governed Edo State from 2016 to 2024 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was succeeded by Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) after the PDP lost the last governorship election.

Speaking during a victory parade at the Government House in Benin City on Friday, Governor Okpebholo announced plans to establish a Commission of Inquiry to scrutinise the financial records and governance practices under Obaseki’s leadership.

“I will open the books to check the financial dealings and how Obaseki governed Edo State in the last eight years. A university in this state received ₦47 million under Obaseki’s administration, while he paid a consultant ₦51 million. This was not good enough. They wanted to continue with this act, but God helped us to push them out,” Okpebholo told party leaders, youths, market women, civil servants, professional bodies, and other groups present at the event.

The governor also noted that he has retained civil servants from the previous administration, including the former Head of Service and many Permanent Secretaries.

He added that officials who served under Obaseki would be questioned about how they managed Edo State’s resources during their time in office.

Okpebholo specifically accused the PDP’s governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, and his party of setting aside funds for the election and subsequent court cases.

Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa, who also spoke at the event, praised the Supreme Court’s ruling that upheld their victory and urged the administration to stay focused and deliver on its promises to the people of Edo State.

Former Deputy Governor Comrade Philip Shaibu expressed gratitude for Okpebholo’s success, adding that the people of Edo would ultimately appreciate having chosen Senator Monday Okpebholo as their governor.