The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has accused Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration of misusing over ₦30 billion left in the state’s treasury by the previous government of Godwin Obaseki.
According to the PDP, the funds were squandered within two weeks of Okpebholo taking office, allegedly being used to compensate political “godfathers” who supported him during the September 21, 2024, governorship election.
Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, the PDP caretaker committee chairman in Edo State, also criticized the Okpebholo administration for failing to pay the state’s civil and public servants their November salaries.
He pointed out that under the previous PDP-led government, workers received their monthly salaries on or before the 26th of each month, but this has not been the case under the current administration, according to NaijaNews.
The PDP further claimed that in the short period since taking office, the Okpebholo-led government spent over ₦5 billion on vehicles without following proper procurement procedures. This has reportedly created a crisis, with the Permanent Secretary in the Governor’s office allegedly threatening civil servants who refused to accept the vehicles due to missing documentation.
The administration is also reportedly seeking ways to account for over ₦2 billion in inauguration-related expenses.
Aziegbemi emphasized that the administration’s failure to pay workers, despite the ₦30 billion left in the state’s coffers, is a significant concern. He also expressed dismay over what he described as the misallocation of funds that were meant for the people of Edo State.
According to the PDP caretaker committee chairman, “For 8 years the PDP-led administration paid salaries on or before the 25th of every month, and as of today, they have not been able to pay November salaries even though the Obaseki-led PDP administration left over N30bn in the state coffers.
“What have they done with that money? They have filtered the money away and shared it with their godfathers for the roles they played in circumventing the will of the people.
“We are aware that as we speak, nobody in the state has received any credit alert for the payment of November 2024 salary. The government of Godwin Obaseki paid salary 26th of every month.
“Governor Okpebholo has procured over N5bn worth of vehicles without proper procurement process which has created a crisis to the extent that the Permanent Secretary Governor’s office is threatening civil servants in Central administration for refusing to accept vehicles due to improper documentation, while desperately looking for ways to pass entries for over N2bn of inauguration costs.”
