Edo gov, Okpebholo, vows to investigate Obaseki administration

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has announced plans to investigate the financial activities and governance of his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, during his eight-year tenure.

Speaking at a victory rally held at the Government House in Benin City, Okpebholo told a gathering of party members, civil servants, market women, youths, and professional bodies that his administration would establish a Commission of Inquiry to scrutinize the past government’s records.

“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 N47 million under 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,” the governor declared.

Obaseki, who governed Edo from 2016 to 2024 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was succeeded by Okpebholo after the All Progressives Congress (APC) reclaimed the state in a closely contested election.

Okpebholo emphasized that his government had retained most senior civil servants from the previous administration and was not pursuing a policy of mass dismissals.

“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,” he said.

He also indicated that individuals who served in Obaseki’s government would be questioned about their role in public administration during the previous administration.

“Edo was tired of transactional people and thieves, but now we will look into their records. 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,” Okpebholo said.

He added, “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.”

The governor also leveled allegations against PDP’s governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, claiming the opposition reserved funds for both election activities and legal battles.

“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,” he asserted.

Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa, reflecting on the legal journey that culminated in a Supreme Court victory, praised Okpebholo’s leadership through the process and urged the government to now focus on delivering results for the people.

Also speaking, former Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu expressed gratitude for the outcome of the election, calling it a moment for progress and service.

“This is the time to work as Edo people will be grateful for voting for Senator Monday Okpebholo as their governor,” Shaibu stated.