On Friday, the Edo State Government announced that it would form a Commission of Inquiry to look into the former governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration. The revelation was made by Governor Monday Okpebolo in front of a crowd that included party leaders, government employees, youth organizations, market women, and professional associations during a victory parade at Government House in Benin City.
The occasion came after the Supreme Court upheld his and his deputy Dannis Idahosa’s victory in the September 21, 2024, gubernatorial election.
A few days after taking office on November 12, 2024, the governor established a 14-member Assets Verification Committee, led by Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, to look into the previous governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration.
Over his victory, Okpebolo thanked God and the judiciary and promised the Edo State populace that his administration would put an emphasis on development, accountability, and transparency. He charged that Godwin Obaseki, his predecessor, had neglected competent civil servants in favor of using outside consultants to run the state.
“I directed the training of our own people who are now handling the job. We have sent the consultant away from the state, saving money to develop Edo State,” he stated.
“Our civil servants are well trained. We have the best brains in the state, but Godwin Obaseki used consultants instead of utilizing the human resources available.”
Despite only being in office for about eight months, Governor Okpebholo said his administration is already making progress in reforming governance. “By the time we are two years in office, Edo people will know they have a Governor who is ready to work for the interest of the people,” he continued.
Additionally, he thanked President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support and resolute position during the legal and electoral processes. The governor said, “President Tinubu stood his ground and ensured the right thing was done,” promising to make sure Edo State benefits from democracy while he is in office.
Okpebholo added that during Obaseki’s leadership, his administration had uncovered dubious financial practices. He gave the example of a university receiving N47 million and a consultant receiving N51 million. “They wanted to continue with this act, but God helped us to push them out,” he said.
The governor stressed continuity in governance in spite of the accusations, pointing out that he kept important civil servants from the previous administration. “Since I came into office, I have not sacked anybody. The Head of Service during Obaseki’s administration is still working with me, along with many Permanent Secretaries,” he said. He reaffirmed his intention to look into the financial transactions of the previous administration.
He said, “We will open the books to check how Obaseki governed Edo State in the last eight years,”
“Edo has had enough of thieves and transactional people. Edo people will notice a difference if I take just two of the eight years. We will examine their documents”
“They were looking for judges to bribe or buy, but they could not find any,” Okpebholo said, accusing the opposition of hoarding funds to sway the judiciary. They saved money for court cases and the election, but God let them down”
Speaking at the event, Deputy Governor Dannis Idahosa praised the Governor for leading the party through the court victories and emphasized the importance of concentrating on governance going forward. Comrade Philip Shaibu, the former deputy governor, joined in the festivities, thanking God for the outcome of the court cases and urging all parties to back the administration’s efforts to fulfill its commitments.
Governor Okpebholo said the Commission of Inquiry will soon be established to formally start looking into the Obaseki administration’s spending and operations.
