PDP Accuses Edo Governor Okpebholo of Squandering Over N30 Billion Left by Obaseki ‘To Compensate Godfathers’

The Edo State government, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebholo, has been accused of squandering over N30 billion left in the state’s coffers by the previous administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki, within just 14 days. The accusation was made by Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Edo State Caretaker Committee, during a press conference titled “State of the Nation Address.”

Aziegbemi alleged that the governor used the funds to reward “godfathers” who supported him in the September 21, 2024, governorship election. He also criticized the APC-led government for failing to pay the November salaries of the state’s civil and public servants, contrasting this with the practices of the former PDP administration under Obaseki, where workers consistently received their salaries on or before the 26th of each month.

In addition, Aziegbemi claimed that the new government procured over N5 billion worth of vehicles within two weeks of taking office, without following a proper procurement process. He further alleged that the Okpebholo administration was seeking ways to justify over N2 billion in expenses as inauguration costs, raising concerns that the Edo State Procurement Act was being compromised.

Aziegbemi emphasized, “For eight years, the PDP-led government paid salaries on or before the 25th of every month, but now, as of today, no one has received their November salary. What happened to the N30 billion left by the Obaseki-led government? It has been misused and shared among their godfathers who played roles in undermining the people’s will.”

He added that the procurement of the N5 billion worth of vehicles without proper documentation had caused a crisis, with the Permanent Secretary of the Governor’s office reportedly threatening civil servants for refusing to accept vehicles due to the lack of proper paperwork.

In response to these allegations, the Edo State government rejected the claims, stating that Governor Okpebholo would expose the “eight-year rot” of the PDP administration in the state. Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, stated that no amount of blackmail would prevent the Okpebholo administration from recovering the state’s resources from a few dishonest individuals. He further asserted that the 14-day-old government was committed to swiftly developing Edo State and had remained focused on meeting the expectations of the people.