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Tag: Okpebholo

  • Okpebholo, PDP differ on probe of Obaseki $10m spent on Observer newspaper

    Okpebholo, PDP differ on probe of Obaseki $10m spent on Observer newspaper

    Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo has announced plans to probe the $10 million reportedly spent on the state owned newspaper, The Nigerian Observer, by former Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    Okpebholo made the announcement during an unscheduled visit to the Observer premises with top officials of his administration to inspect the facilities on Tuesday in Benin City.

    Okpebholo noted that the once-vibrant newspaper was shut down by Obaseki for supposed renovations, adding that the company’s condition had worsened instead of meeting the goal of competing with other national dailies.

    Okpebholo, frustrated by his inability to access the premises, promised to return for a more thorough inspection of the buildings, and the machines allegedly purchased with taxpayers’ money.

    The governor expressed concerns about the $10 million claimed to have been spent by Obaseki to revive the newspaper, with the premises locked and devoid of staff.

    “I visited The Observer newspaper company to verify the claims of $10 million spent by Obaseki to revamp the media outfit.

    “The premises were locked, and no machines or staff were visible. If there had been equipment, people would have been working there, especially given the resources spent,” Okpebholo said.

    The governor emphasised that Edo citizens deserved answers regarding the misuse of their funds, adding that his visit was part of his effort to ensure accountability.

    However, Chris Nehikhare, the PDP publicity secretary, in a statement,  urged the governor to ask his Information Commissioner, Chief Press Secretary, and others about the machines they took custody of on February 7 at The Observer premises.

    Nehikhare expressed amazement at the governor’s statement, where he claimed he wanted to probe the previous administration’s efforts concerning The Nigerian Observer.

    “The most laughable part is Okpebholo’s claims that he could not access his own property during a visit to the Observer.

    “On November 18, 2024, days after assuming office, Okpebholo ordered the sack of all civil servants at the Nigerian Observer,” Nehikhare said.

    Nehikhare referred to the Daily Post’s article on Nov. 19, 2024, titled, “Edo: Gov Okpebholo sacks Observer workers,” for reference and further information.

    “We refer the public to The Sun Nigeria’s story, “EDSG takes over full control of Observer Printing Press,” published on Feb. 7, 2025, for further details,” Nehikhare said.

    Nehikhare also referred the public to a video of the equipment tour aired by TMC TV, showing the machines at the Observer premises for clarification.

    He urged the Information Commissioner, Press Secretary, Observer’s General Manager, and Permanent Secretary to brief the governor about the equipment they took custody of during the inspection.

    According to Nehikhare, it is absurd to order the sack of employees in November 2024 while still expecting them to be present during his visit.

  • Edo poll: PDP witness insists on irregularities as Okpebholo, APC lawyers disagree

    Edo poll: PDP witness insists on irregularities as Okpebholo, APC lawyers disagree

    Victor Eseigbe, a politician from Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo, on Thursday, testified as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s witness at the ongoing governorship election tribunal, insisting that the poll was marred by irregularities.

    Eseigbe, who had the witness code: WW1M/9, gave his testimony while being led in evidence by the petitioners’ counsel, Ken Mozia, SAN, in Abuja.

    The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal was moved to Abuja following reports of violence at the tribunal venue in Edo.

    The petitioners; Dr Asue Ighodalo and the PDP are challenging the victory of Gov. Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the governorship election.

    At today’s sitting, three witnesses testified.

    Eseigbe, while giving his evidence, identified and confirmed the submission of Form EC8A for 28 polling units, including certified copies and agents’ copies as exhibits.

    During cross-examination, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s counsel, Kanu Agabi, SAN, questioned the authenticity of the witness’s role.

    He observed that the witness did not sign Form EC8B for Ward 9, which was used for ward collation.

    “Since you did not sign, what proof do you have that you were a ward collation officer?” Agabi asked and the witness responded that he noticed irregularities, which led him to refrain from signing the documents.

    Agabi further asked on the validity of his testimony, emphasising that he did not personally document any of the election reports.

    The discrepancies in accreditation figures emerged when APC’s counsel, Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, pointed out contradictions between figures recorded in the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) reports and those declared by INEC.

    While the witness cited 71 accredited voters in Unit 001 of Ward 1, BVAS reports showed 252 accredited voters.

    Similarly, Unit 003 had 262 registered voters, but only 116 were reflected in BVAS records.

    Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, who appeared for Gov. Okpebholo, raised further concerns about inconsistencies in the document.

    Ukala said that some tendered exhibits, such as Forms EC8B and EC8C, contained figures that did not correspond with their counterparts in Form EC8A.

    “Can you confirm if the figures in Form EC8B match those in EC8A?” Ukala asked.

    “It is the incorrect figures that we complained about,” the witness responded.

    The defence also questioned whether BVAS and the hard copies were presented for reconciliation at the ward level.

    The witness confirmed that they did but said that there was no proper compilation.

    During the proceedings, Mozia sought to tender the witness’s agent tag as proof of his role in the governorship election.

    However, Agabi and other defence lawyers objected to the tendering of the document, arguing that it had not been previously mentioned in the witness’s testimony.

    Despite the objection, the tribunal, chaired by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, ruled in favour of the petitioners and admitted the agent’s tag as evidence.

    Another witness, Oyigwe Imasue, a PDP agent from Oredo Local Government Area, confirmed that a certified true copy of an election result was included in his witness statement.

    However, the defence counsel subjected the witness to rigorous scrutiny.

    Agabi questioned Imasue’s credibility and his role in the collation process.

    The third witness was a subpoenaed witness from INEC (1st respondent) who produced the BVAS machines used in 133 polling units.

    The witness, Anthony Itodo, a Senior Technical Officer from INEC’s ICT Department, said he produced BVAs machines and other electoral material used .

    He informed the court that he was present with the device used for the election.

    The tribunal accordingly admitted the subpoena documents tendered by the witness as evidence and reserved ruling on objection raised by the respondents .

    The tribunal adjourn until Friday for continuation of trial.

    NAN

  • Edo doctors begin warning strike over unimplemented Okpebholo’s directive

    Edo doctors begin warning strike over unimplemented Okpebholo’s directive

    Medical doctors under the employ of the Edo Health Management Agency (HMA), on Thursday, commenced a 2-day warning strike to protest against the appointment of a new Executive Secretary for the agency.

    According to reports, the doctors operating under the aegis of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, Edo HMA branch, were kicking against the appointment of Nelson Tenebe, who is said to be related to a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in the state.

    In a notification letter sent to Gov. Monday Okpebholo, a copy of which was obtained by NAN, the association stated the decision was taken after an emergency general meeting on January 29.

    The letter was signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the association, Dr Clement Ikponmwen and Dr Osaronse Aghimien.

    “Following the expiration of the ultimatum issued on January 7, and the subsequent meetings we had with you sir, we want to appreciate Your Excellency’s kind approval of Dr Christopher Eigbe Ehiagwina as the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive of the HMA during the last meeting we had with you on January 22.

    “Unfortunately sir, your directive has not been effected up untill now, as though your instructions are being undermined.

    “This has led to great disenchantment among members after initially being told that you had given the instruction for the name to be announced and appointment given effect.

    “Arising from an emergency general meeting held on January 29, the association declared a two-day warning strike to begin 12 midnight today (Thursday), if the announcement and appointment were not given effect to as directed by Your Excellency a week ago,” the letter added.

    Meanwhile, the warning strike has begun to take a toll on healthcare services across the state, with public hospitals scaling down operations.

    Non-emergency cases were being turned back, leaving patients and their families frustrated by the disruptions.

    Many are said to have resorted to alternative medicine and private hospitals.

  • Edo gov, Okpebholo assigns portfolios to new commissioners

    Edo gov, Okpebholo assigns portfolios to new commissioners

    Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo on Tuesday sworn in six commissioners into the State Executive Council and assigned them portfolios.

    This is contained in a statement in Benin, by Mr Umar Ikhilor, Secretary to the State Government.

    According to Ikhilor, Mr Paul Ohonbamu is assigned to the Ministry of Information and Communications, while Washington Osifo will take charge of the Ministry of Water Resources and Energy.

    ”Dr Emmanuel Iyamu is assigned the Ministry of Education, Dr Lucky Eseigbe, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Andrew Ijegbai, Ministry of Mining.

    ”Similarly, Olabisi Idaomi will lead the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

    All commissioners are expected to resume duties in their respective ministries immediately,” he said.

  • Okpebholo’s tussle with council chairmen needless distraction – By Ehichioya Ezomon

    Okpebholo’s tussle with council chairmen needless distraction – By Ehichioya Ezomon

    During a congratulatory visit to Governor Monday Okpebholo at the Government House in Benin City on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, the Edo chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) and chairman of Orhiomwon local government, Newman Ugiagbe, pledged the loyalty and collaboration of the 18 council chairmen, to ensure the success of the Okpebholo administration.

    “We are here to congratulate the Governor and the Deputy on the mandate Edo people gave them, and to pledge our loyalty to your administration,” Ugiagbe said, adding, “Our doors are open to your instructions, policies, and programmes, as we are ready to bring your policies down to the grassroots, to enable our people to benefit from the dividends of democracy as we will work to ensure your administration succeeds.”

    Responding, Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa, who represented Governor Okpebholo, said: “I have listened to you keenly, the ALGON Chairman. The Governor is a leader of all of us. Election has come and gone and we are all one family. The Governor has asked me to assure you that we are one family. He has also asked me to tell you that we will work closely together.”

    As if to test the council chairmen’s pledge for collaboration with the administration, Idahosa said: “I guess you are aware that few weeks ago, the Assets Verification Committee was constituted. Mr. Governor is committed to transparency and accountability in this government and that committee would not have the resources to go across the 18 local government areas of Edo State.

    “The Governor would want you to submit your statement of accounts from 4th of September 2023, to date, to the Assets Verification Committee within the next 48 hours (2 days), as that would help and enable the committee do its job effectively and efficiently… The Governor thanks you for your time.”

    But in a matter of days, the promise of “collaboration and working together as a family for the government to succeed” flew out the window, and politics took the front burner, as the 18 chairmen – all members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – reneged on their assurances to Okpebholo, and refused to submit their statement of accounts for verification, as the governor directed.

    Following the chairmen’s resistance to the directive, citing their financial autonomy as upheld by the Supreme Court, Okpebholo, in a December 16 petition titled, “Insubordination and Gross Misconduct by the 18 Local Government Chairmen Over Their Refusal to Submit Financial Records for Scrutiny,” reported the chairmen to the assembly, which, pending investigation, suspended them and their deputies for two months, under Section 20(b) of the Local Government Act, for “insubordination and gross misconduct” for refusal to submit their financial records for scrutiny.

    Now, a huge political and constitutional crisis is brewing in Edo State, as the council chairmen have dragged in the judiciary to intervene – and it did intervene by setting aside the two-month suspension the House of Assembly clamped on the chairmen and their deputies.

    As reported by ICIRNIGERIA.ORG on Thursday, December 19, a Benin City High Court, presided by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba, has ordered reinstatement of the 18 council chairmen and their deputies to their pre-December 17, 2024, positions, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice adjourned to February 17, 2025, for a hearing.

    Directing that hearing notices be issued to the defendants, the court ordered a mandatory injunction, compelling the defendants, including Governor Okpebholo, the Edo State Government, the Attorney-General, and the Accountant-General to restore the claimants to their respective offices, and restrained the defendants from acting on the resolution passed by the House of Assembly suspending the chairmen and their deputies.

    Obviously complicating matters for Governor Okpebholo is the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who on Thursday, December 19, declared as “illegal and unconstitutional,” the suspension of the chairmen and vice chairmen of the 18 councils in Edo State.

    Fagbemi, fielding questions from journalists in Abuja, said that, based on the Supreme Court ruling of July 11, 2024, granting autonomy to the 774 councils in Nigeria, the prerogative to remove or suspend any elected council official rests with the councilors, adding, “under the present dispensation, the governor has no right to remove any local government chairman, that much I know.”

    Nonetheless, Governor Okpebholo’s fighting back by instituting, on December 18, a seven-member panel to investigate the stewardship of the council chairmen, even as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has jumped into the fray, to investigate the embattled council officials.

    Hours after the High Court ordered reinstatement of the council chairmen and vice chairmen on Friday, December 20, a defiant Okpebholo declared that their suspension was within his oversight function of the local governments, as reported by Nigerian Tribune.

    Admitting that the suspension of the chairmen has sparked an intense debate, Okpebholo said that, “a closer examination of the Constitution, and the Federal Attorney-General’s comments, reveal that the decisions by the Edo State House of Assembly, vis-a-vis the Governor of the State, are entirely justified.”

    “From a legal perspective, the governor’s request to the House of Assembly, to suspend the chairmen, was done within his constitutional powers. The House of Assembly had the right to turn down the request but opted to act on it. It is therefore unfair to blame the governor,” Okpebholo said.

    He argued: “If the governor had the powers to suspend the council chairmen unilaterally, he would not have resorted to drafting a letter to the House of Assembly. Again, for the record, the chairmen were not removed from office but suspended due to suspicious activities, and the governor has the right to exercise the power of oversight.

    “The concept of autonomy is often misunderstood, and in this case, it does not mean that council chairmen cannot be oversight. The House of Assembly has the power to oversight the activities of the governor, and similarly, the governor has the right to exercise oversight over local government chairmen. The ongoing EFCC investigation of the 18 local government chairmen underscores the importance of accountability in governance.”

    Actually in a letter dated December 17, 2024, and signed by its director of investigation, Abdulkarim Chukkol, the EFCC has summoned the council chairmen for questioning, requesting certified documents, detailing payroll records, bank statements, and council finances from January 2024 to date, with chairmen from six councils, including Akoko-Edo, Egor, and Esan Central, summoned to appear on December 19, while others were scheduled for December 20.

    Senator Okpebholo (APC, Edo Central) comes with a mantra of “Edo Rising Again,” and a five-point agenda to revamp the state for “rapid development and economic growth” from where former Governor and Senator Adams Oshiomhole (2008-2016) reportedly stopped.

    Unencumbered by any “godfather” breathing down his neck, Okpebholo, “hitting the ground running” barely 24 hours of his inauguration on November 12, 2024, with the ground-breaking of construction of first-ever flyovers in Benin City, Edo capital city, continued in his no-time-to-waste haste to achieve tangible results in his first 100 days in office.

    But like the typical politician he boasts he isn’t, Okpebholo may’ve begun giving in to distractions, to tackle what perhaps he sees as partisan antic of the council officials, who, as members of the PDP, and backed by the Edo chapters of the PDP and ALGON, have called the governor’s bluff.

    Affirming their commitment to fulfilling their constitutional roles, as “no authority can prevent us from serving our councils,” the council chairmen declared that, “We will remain in office till September 2026… as our tenure runs from September 2023 to September 2026, as stipulated by law.”

    Both in context and in the contest, the outcomes of Okpebholo’s directive, playing out real-time, have evoked scenes reminiscent of the hit song, “Trouble Sleep Yanga Wake Am,” off a 1971 album, “Roforofo Fight,” by the legendary Afrobeats maestro, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, as the 18 council chairmen and their deputies have rejected their two-month suspension by the Edo State House of Assembly.

    Relating to Fela’s depiction of the oppressor and the oppressed, Okpebholo, as “yanga” the oppressor wielding executive power, went and woke up “trouble,” the council chairmen, the oppressed (who, in their areas of jurisdiction, are also oppressors). And that’s what Fela preaches against in “Trouble Sleep Yanga Wake Am” – and indeed in all of his musical career of advocacy against societal ills, and the oppression of Nigerian people.

    In the song, Fela warns that, “the suffering of the oppressed be respected and that if it is not, then the oppressed is justified in their decision to revolt, to take arms against the persons who mock their suffering and remain unempathetic to their oppression.” (Culled from, “The Shuffle: ‘Trouble Sleep Yanga Wake Am’ Was Fela At His Most Succinct,” written by The Native, October 18, 2017).

    The council chairmen – all of PDP, which still nurses its defeat by the APC at the September 21, 2024, governorship election that returned Okpebholo as winner – were on their own when the governor gave them that 48-hour ultimatum to submit their financial records from September 23, 2022, when they came into office, till date.

    The council chairmen’s failure to obey Okpebholo’s directive, and their subsequent suspension from office, has created a constitutional crisis that may require intervention of the Supreme Court to clarify the relationship between the state and local governments under the financial autonomy the court granted to the councils in July 2024.

    As the battle line is drawn, what next for Governor Okpebholo, as the odds seem stacked against him? Will he put his foot down, and breach the rules and the Supreme Court judgment that’ve granted local governments financial autonomy? That’ll be illegal and unconstitutional, and against the avowal by the governor to work harmoniously with the opposition!

    Will the council chairmen back down, and submit their financials, as directed by the governor? That’s unlikely, as the 18 councils are very strategic, politically and financially, to the presence and participation of the PDP in Edo polity, especially ahead of the 2027 elections, even as the party pins its hope on “retrieving” its alleged “stolen mandate” at the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal holding in Benin City.

    What Okpebholo doesn’t need now – certainly not in the future – is unnecessary self-induced distractions. The opposition – with nothing to lose – is at liberty to do anything to distract and divert his attention. But it’s in the governor’s interest, the interest of Edo people, and the daunting tasks before him, to prevent that from happening!

     

    Mr Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria. Can be reached on X, Threads, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp @EhichioyaEzomon. Tel: 08033078357.

  • “You do not have constitutional power to suspend LG Chairmen”, FG tells Okpebholo

    “You do not have constitutional power to suspend LG Chairmen”, FG tells Okpebholo

    The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has declared that suspension of local government chairmen and their deputies in Edo State is unconstitutional and a violation of the Supreme Court’s July 11, 2024, judgment on local government autonomy.

    Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Fagbemi emphasized that elected local government officials could only be suspended or removed through their respective legislative councils, not by the state governor or the state assembly.

    “One thing is clear: under the current legal framework, the governor has no authority to remove or suspend any local government chairman,” Fagbemi stated.

    “This prerogative lies solely with the legislative council of the affected local government, as affirmed by the Supreme Court judgment granting autonomy to the 774 local governments across the country.”

    The AGF disclosed that he initially refrained from commenting on the matter, intending to understand the grounds for the purported suspension.

    However, he made it clear that any action contrary to the legal stipulations constitutes an overreach of gubernatorial powers.

    The dispute began when the Edo State House of Assembly suspended the chairmen and vice-chairmen of the state’s 18 local government areas for two months, accusing them of gross misconduct and insubordination. Acting on a directive from Governor Monday Okpebholo, the assembly alleged that the officials failed to submit financial reports covering the period from September 23, 2022, to date.

    In response, the assembly instructed the suspended officials to hand over to the legislative leaders of their respective councils. Governor Okpebholo justified his actions by alleging a lack of accountability among the local government executives.

    The AGF’s position aligns with the Supreme Court’s July 11 judgment, which strengthened local government autonomy and curtailed state interference. The judgment explicitly states that local government councils operate as independent entities, with elected officials accountable to their respective legislative councils, not state governors.

     

    “The suspension undermines the principles of democracy and local government autonomy upheld by the Supreme Court,” Fagbemi remarked. “Governors must understand that their powers do not extend to arbitrarily dismissing or suspending elected officials at the local government level.

    The suspended Edo LG officials have rejected the suspension, maintaining that their tenure is protected by law until 2026. They argue that the governor’s actions are politically motivated and infringe upon their constitutional rights.

     

    Legal experts and advocacy groups have joined the AGF in calling for adherence to constitutional provisions. They urge state governments to respect the autonomy of local government councils and refrain from actions that disrupt democratic processes.

     

    Fagbemi called on all stakeholders, including civil society organizations, to hold state governments accountable for upholding the rule of law. “This issue is not just about Edo State. It’s a test of our commitment to democracy and the autonomy of grassroots governance,” he concluded.

  • Obaseki hammers Okpebholo for shutting down the state’s e-governance platform

    Obaseki hammers Okpebholo for shutting down the state’s e-governance platform

    The immediate past Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has slammed his successor, Monday Okpebholo, for shutting down the state’s e-governance platform.

    Reports have it that Okpebholo had said that the entire e-governance platform is being run and operated from the backend by unknown non-state actors, and no one within the public service of the state has administrative control of the platform.

    In a statement through the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhilor, the governor ordered an immediate review of the platform.

    Okpebholo added that all officials and staff of Ministries, Departments and Agencies are to continue to work on the platform pending the outcome of the ongoing review.

    However, Obaseki, in a statement on Tuesday by his spokesman, Crusoe Osagie, stated that Okpebholo’s excuses for shutting down the platform are shameful and regressive.

    The former governor said Okpebholo’s decision was a sign of a clueless government and an insult to the sensibilities of Edo workers and the people of the state.

    Obaseki stated that the platform is operated by the Edo ICT Agency, a parastatal under the Edo State Ministry of Digital Economy, with the support of expert consultants.

    The statement read, “We read with surprise and deep disappointment the utterly ridiculous statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Umar Musa Ikhilor, where he laboriously attempted to justify the illogical shutdown of the Edo e-governance platform and the decision to revert the state’s civil service operations back to paper files to run the government.

    “This irrational decision is not only shameful and regressive but also an insult to the sensibilities of Edo workers and the people of the state. It further exposes the government’s cluelessness and lack of the depth and knowledge required for effective governance and administration in the 21st century.

    “To be clear, the platform is operated by the Edo ICT Agency, a parastatal under the Edo State Ministry of Digital Economy, with the support of expert consultants, ensuring a digital and efficient system for government processes and operations.

    “However, the unprepared and clueless government of Senator Monday Okpebholo, having come into power through one of the most flawed electoral processes in the country, has since sacked most of the senior civil servants in the agency. As a result, the government is now hamstrung and unable to run the e-gov system effectively.

    “Had the government not embarked on the ongoing indiscriminate sack of civil and public servants in the state, the officials and workers responsible for this system would have been available to explain and train them on the process and functionality of the digital system. But what else can we expect from a governor who came to power through the backdoor? He is unprepared for office, in short supply of ideas, and lacks a clear vision to drive the development and progress of the state.”

    Obaseki also refuted allegations by the Okpebholo government that there is no institutional memory, saying that all government memory and data are stored in the state-owned Data Centre.

    It added, “We also want to clarify that the allegations by the government that there is no institutional memory are completely false. All government memory and data are stored in the state-owned Data Centre, which was built and commissioned by the immediate past administration of His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki. The Data Centre is situated within the Government House compound, from where the Secretary to the State Government is dishing out his jaundiced statements, filled with lies and half-truths.

    “For eight years, the immediate past governor, HE Godwin Obaseki, focused on nuanced policies and programmes to lay a solid foundation for the State, placing it on the path of progress and prosperity.

    “We advise Okpebholo to follow this path if he doesn’t have a vision or plan for the state rather than erode the progress that has been made over these past few years with his illogical and poorly thought-out decisions and policies.”

  • Hours to handover , Obaseki declared missing as Okpebholo calls for Gov’s mental evaluation

    Hours to handover , Obaseki declared missing as Okpebholo calls for Gov’s mental evaluation

    Edo State Governor-Elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has called on the out-going Governor of the State, Godwin Obaseki, to seek immediate attention of a psychiatrist, following his recent utterances and public displays.

    In a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday and signed by Godspower Inegbe, Okpebholo said Edo people are worried by Obaseki’s reckless statements and urged him to evaluate his state of mind.

    The Governor-Elect in the statement raised the alarm regarding the whereabouts of Obaseki, who on Friday reportedly fled Benin City, the Edo State capital, using a disguised bus.

    The statement revealed that Obaseki chased out everyone from the Government House on Friday before escaping to a yet-to-be known location more than 72 hours before his official departure from office.

    The statement further noted that Obaseki is making the false claims to shift attention away from his sinister plans to leave the country through the land borders.

    “As of Friday, 8th of November, the whereabout of Obaseki is unknown. He has chased everyone out of Edo State Government House. He has abandoned governance in the State, and he is on the run.

    “He has escaped through the road out of Benin. He did not pass through the airport. If he is as popular as he claims, why did he not use the airport to escape? Instead, he hired a bus and disguised while escaping from Edo State.

    “Obaseki is trying to push out these narratives in order to distract the public. His antics will not work. We know his plans, and we will continue to expose his shenanigans to Edo people,” the statement read.

    Obaseki, on Saturday, claimed that Senator Okpebholo did not invite him to his inauguration, slated for next Tuesday. He also claimed without proof that the Governor-Elect has a stolen mandate.

    “Out-going Governor Godwin Obaseki needs serious and urgent psychiatric attention to evaluate his state of mind. His recent utterances and public displays should get Edo sons and daughters worried.

    “In his latest diatribe, Obaseki, who has supervised one of the biggest financial heist and misappropriated resources of Edo state, is again engaging in his usual beer parlour talks.

    “According to the unpopular outgoing governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo stole the mandate freely given to him by Edo people. In his usual myopic mind, he wants to change the narratives and set a dangerous precedence,” Okpebholo noted in a statement.

    The Governor-Elect said he won the elections convincingly and added that the tribunal will soon validate his claims. He said Obaseki would not get away with the reckless claims.

    “Obaseki will not get away with this misrepresentation. Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Governor-Elect of Edo State, won the 21st September governorship election in Edo State.

    Obaseki is still licking his wound of defeat and is yet to accept the reality. Edo people, through the ballot, rejected the planned continuation of Obaseki’s satanic government through his glorified stooge, Asue Ighodalo,” he mocked Obaseki

    Okpebholo said Obaseki is trying to influence the outcome of the ongoing case at the tribunal by making false claims. He said the attempt will fail like a pack of cards.

    He said: “The Peoples Democratic Party is already challenging the outcome of the election in court. We are therefore worried that Obaseki is in a hurry to pre-empt the outcome of the tribunal by repeatedly making false claims.

    “Unfortunately for Obaseki, his baseless claims will not stand. The Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate, Ighodalo, have no case against Senator Okpebholo. The tribunal will soon confirm that.”

    He warned Obaseki to desist from making false claims and reminded him of severe consequences that may follow if he does not stop.

    Senator Okpebholo reminded Obaseki that he will soon lose his immunity and will therefore be forced to face the full wrath of the law if he does not retrace his steps.

    “Although Senator Okpebholo is a man of peace, we will not sit back and allow him to keep misrepresenting the true outcome of what happened on the 21st of September.

    “Obaseki will soon lose his immunity and if he continues to make his baseless claims, he will face the full wrath of the law very soon and he will prove his unfounded allegations when he is dragged to court,” Okpebholo warned in the statement.

    Reacting to another claim by Obaseki that he was not invited to attend the inauguration slated for next Tuesday, Okpebholo described it as laughable, absurd, and questionable.

    He said that since he won the election, Obaseki has employed every means to frustrate a peaceful transfer of power. The Governor-elect noted that Obaseki has not extended any invitation to him for a meeting or a tour of the Government House.

    The statement read: “Again, Obaseki also claimed that Senator Okpebholo did not invite him to the inauguration, slated for next Tuesday. This is laughable, absurd, and questionable. Since Senator Okpebholo was declared winner, Obaseki has employed every means to frustrate a peaceful transfer of power.

    “As a sitting Governor, Obaseki should tell Edo people and Nigerians if he has ever invited the Governor-Elect, Senator Okpebholo to Government House for a meeting or a tour as a responsible man. Has Obaseki called Senator Okpebholo to congratulate him since he won the election?

    “Obaseki should cover his face in shame, account for the billions he has misappropriated, and apologise to Edo people for under-developing the State in the last eight years.

    ‘We urge Edo people to disregard Obaseki’s reckless statements and support the incoming administration of Senator Okpebholo to remedy the many wrongs of this government.”

  • Shaibu offers N1m bounty for information on looting in Edo as Obaseki asks Okpebholo to produce evidence

    Shaibu offers N1m bounty for information on looting in Edo as Obaseki asks Okpebholo to produce evidence

    Reinstated deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has offered N1million bounty to anyone who has information concerning alleged looting of government property as the administration winds down.

    This is just as the outgoing governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki has demanded for a water proof evidence from the incoming Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

    Shaibu in a press briefing in Benin City on Friday said he has evidence to back the alleged looting in some quarters and last minute borrowing from financial institutions.

    He also called on the Economic Financial Crimes Commission, the Department of State Services and other relevant agencies to look into the alleged misappropriation of funds meant for projects in the ministry of roads and bridges, ongoing Radisson Hotel project and last minute appointments by the outgoing administration.

    He said, “I have received disturbing reports of banks and other financial institutions, granting last-minute loans to Governor Godwin Obaseki. This is alarming, and not in good faith. Against that backdrop, I am issuing a strong warning to banks and financial institutions not to grant any loans or issue financial instruments to Governor Obaseki or any official of the state government in whatever capacity or office.

    Also, information at my disposal shows there are last-minute plans to siphon state’s fund using NGOs as a decoy, under the guise of supporting such organisations’ projects and activities.

    These actions undermine our state’s financial stability and potential mortgage of the future of Edo State. I dissociate myself and my office from any such dealings.”

    He said there were reports of indiscriminate and clandestine appointments into the civil and public service with outrageous grade levels.

    He added, “I condemn these actions and dissociate myself and my office from any involvement. These appointments have not only undermined the civil service’s integrity but also perpetuated a culture of cronyism.”

    He also alleged that consultants were being appointed and their date of engagement being backdated, allegedly to justify outrageous expenditures.

    “As the Deputy Governor of Edo State, I am inviting the EFCC and ICPC to look into the massive contract fraud that has taken place under the supervision of Ferguson Enabulele and the entire government.

    “Investigation is equally ongoing to unravel the alleged involvement of some engineers in the ministry, who agreed to assist the permanent secretary to keep such funds with their registered company accounts with banks and later convert such to US dollars.”

    A government official who pleaded anonymity said that the state government would not dignify the Shaibu with a response, noting that if he was important in the All Progressives Congress, he would have been included in Okpebholo’s transition committee.

  • Edo: Okpebholo’s victory is an endorsement of Tinubu’s economic reforms, says Omo-Agege

    Edo: Okpebholo’s victory is an endorsement of Tinubu’s economic reforms, says Omo-Agege

    The victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and emergence of Senator Monday Okpebholo as Governor-Elect in Edo State’s gubernatorial election has been described as an unequivocal endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s economic road map to returning Nigeria to the path of prosperity.

    Former Deputy President of the Senate in the 9th Session of the National Assembly, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, stated this in his congratulatory message to the Governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo and the party.

    “When an election comes up almost at the mid term point of an administration, it is akin to a referendum on the administration. The outcome is a testament to the sophistication of Edo voters, and I believe the Nigerian electorate, that is not appreciated by political leaders, but unravelled in Saturday’s election,” Omo-Agege stated in his congratulatory message.

    In the message released by the former Deputy Senate President’s Media Adviser, Sunny Areh, he said while Okpebholo was the candidate, Tinubu’s administration and policies were on trial in the election.
    He said beyond the immediate challenges orchestrated by the reforms, Nigerians are seeing a bright horizon ahead.

    “The people of Edo State have once again demonstrated their political sophistication. They always look at the bigger picture and I congratulate them,” Omo-Agege stated.

    He urged Nigerians to continue to support President Tinubu and his reforms, affirming that the ongoing reforms are unique as they are rooted in rejigging the fundamentals of the economy.

    He also urged the Governor-Elect to brace up and restore the hopes and expectations of the people of Edo State.