Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State is assessing reports submitted by permanent secretaries from various ministries to decide whether to initiate a probe into the administration of his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki. These evaluations are expected to shape the governor’s next steps regarding the governance and financial practices of the past government.
A government official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that Governor Okpebholo is waiting for the completion of the briefings before making a decision. The source stated, “The governor is still being briefed by the permanent secretaries of the various ministries to know how the immediate past government fared. Once all reports are reviewed, the governor will decide if a probe is necessary and how extensive it will be.”
The official emphasized that Okpebholo’s administration remains committed to prioritizing the interests of Edo State citizens, promising that any investigation will not overshadow developmental plans.
The idea of probing Obaseki’s government gained traction after former Governor Adams Oshiomhole made a case for it during the presentation of Okpebholo’s Certificate of Return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on September 26. Oshiomhole accused Obaseki of financial mismanagement, particularly regarding funds from the World Bank. He said, “God has brought him (Okpebholo) to rescue Edo people, restore integrity, rebuild our schools, employ teachers, and end the fraud that Obaseki was doing with so-called World Bank money. He left Edo worse.”
In support of a potential probe, the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, described the process as standard for any new administration. He also assured the public that the government remains focused on its developmental agenda.
He said, “Our concern as a party and government is to better the lives of the people. The government has already flagged off the flyover at Ramat Park, which shows our desire to hit the ground running. Looking into the books of the past administration is normal practice worldwide. It ensures transparency and accountability for resources managed over the last eight years, especially on key components of governance.”
Uwadiae-Igbinigie reiterated that such a review would not detract from Okpebholo’s primary focus on improving infrastructure, education, and public welfare in Edo State.
However, efforts to obtain comment from officials of Obaseki’s administration were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages to their mobile lines went unanswered.
The conversation around the alleged mismanagement of public funds by the Obaseki administration has been a recurring topic. With claims of financial irregularities and unmet governance expectations, many stakeholders believe a probe could clarify the state’s financial condition and provide insights into past shortcomings.
While the decision on whether to launch a probe is yet to be made, the Okpebholo administration appears committed to maintaining a balance between accountability and governance.
