Twenty-four hours after the Supreme Court upheld his election victory, Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State announced his intention to launch a comprehensive investigation into the administration of his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki.
Mr Obaseki governed the state from 2016 until his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was unseated by Mr Okpebholo’s All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2024.
Mr Okpebholo revealed his plans to establish a commission of inquiry to scrutinise Mr Obaseki’s records on Friday during a victory parade held at Government House, Benin City.
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He addressed a diverse audience including party leaders, youth groups, market women, civil servants, and professional bodies.
“I will open the books to check the financial dealings and how Obaseki governed Edo State in the last eight years,” Mr Okpebholo declared.
He cited a specific instance, stating, “A university in this State received N47 million under Mr Obaseki’s administration, while he paid a consultant N51 million. This was not good enough. They wanted to continue with this act, but God helped us to push them out.”
In a contrasting remark on his own administrative style, Mr Okpebholo highlighted continuity within the civil service.
“Since I came into the office, I have not sacked anybody but rather continued with the civil servants I met in the office. The Head of Service during Obaseki’s administration is still working with me. So also with a lot of Permanent Secretaries in the civil service.”
The governor further stated that officials who served in the immediate past administration would also face questioning regarding their stewardship over the past eight years.
“Edo was tired of transactional people and thieves, but now we will look into their records,” Mr Okpebholo said.
“I will take two years out of eight years, and Edo people will see the difference. We will set up a Commission of Inquiry to look into the books and dealings of the previous administration. We will open an interrogation to check their records.”
He vowed resolute action against alleged past misconduct: “They have finished fighting us, and now I am ready to fight back and ensure that all those who cheated Edo people in the last eight years are brought to book.”
Mr Okpebholo also touched upon the recent gubernatorial election and subsequent legal challenges.
He specifically alleged that the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, and his party had amassed funds for both the election and anticipated court cases.
“They were looking for judges to bribe or buy, but they could not find any. They kept money for the election as well as court cases, but God disappointed them. The people voted for me as their governor, and the various courts affirmed the mandate. The Supreme Court judgment is the final as the five judges ruled in my favour,” Mr Okpebholo stated.
READ ALSO: Okpebholo to probe alleged N96bn diversion linked to Obaseki administration
Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa, expressing his elation at the Supreme Court’s ruling, commended Governor Okpebholo for securing victory through the various judicial stages and urged a focus on delivering for the people of Edo State.
Similarly, former Deputy Governor Comrade Philip Shaibu, who thanked God for Mr Okpebholo’s triumph, encouraged dedication to service, believing that the Edo populace would appreciate their decision to elect Mr Okpebholo as their governor.
