The Edo State government has accused the previous administration of inflating the cost of a major road project, a claim that has led to a bitter dispute between Governor Godwin Obaseki and his successor, Governor Monday Okpebholo.
On Thursday, the Edo State Assets Verification Committee, which was set up by Governor Okpebholo, released a report alleging that the contract for a 17.5-kilometer road project was inflated from N8 billion to N16 billion during the administration of Obaseki.
The committee claimed the contract cost had been increased three times within a year.
In response, Crusoe Osagie, the Media Adviser to former Governor Obaseki, dismissed the allegations as “unintelligent lies” and accused Governor Okpebholo of lacking the capacity for leadership.
Osagie argued that Okpebholo should focus on the work of governance and avoid making baseless claims.
The project in question was initially awarded in September 2023 for N8 billion. However, according to project manager Ifiok Kong, after the contract was mobilized with 25 percent of the amount, the cost was reviewed multiple times. Kong stated that the contract sum was first raised to N12 billion in 2024, and later to the current figure of N16.4 billion by June 2024.
“This is a classic case of how public funds can be mismanaged,” said a member of the verification committee, Engr. Abass Braimah. He expressed disbelief over the steep price hikes, which he described as a “100 percent increment.”
Braimah asked, “What could have possibly changed in just one year to warrant such a drastic increase? The job specifications didn’t change. The cost hike makes no sense.”
The project manager also explained that the initial contract was meant to be completed in three and a half years, but the completion timeline was reduced to just 18 months. This timeline adjustment, however, did little to ease concerns over the soaring project costs.
Governor Okpebholo’s administration, through the Assets Verification Committee, has been investigating such claims in an effort to identify and address potential financial mismanagement by the previous government.
In a strongly worded statement, Osagie responded to the allegations by accusing the current governor of playing politics rather than focusing on governance. “Governor Okpebholo’s real challenge lies in his lack of capacity and preparedness for office,” Osagie said. “Rather than playing games with false allegations, he should settle down, build capacity, and focus on working for the people of Edo State.”
The road project had initially been awarded at N8 billion after several companies submitted tenders for the work. However, the committee claims that the final cost, which now stands at N16 billion, represents a 100 percent increase in the contract sum, with no changes in the project’s specifications or scope.
According to Engr. Braimah, the price inflation appears to be an example of poor financial oversight. “What has substantially changed to justify such a jump in cost? If we can increase the project price by N8 billion in less than a year, what’s next? Are we just going to review and take the entire purse of Edo State?” he questioned.
This disagreement has exposed the growing rift between Governor Okpebholo and the former Governor Obaseki’s camp. Obaseki, who served as governor from 2016 to 2024, is now facing accusations of inflating the project cost during his time in office. The current administration is determined to hold those responsible accountable for any financial misconduct.
The controversy has prompted a public debate on the transparency of government projects and the handling of public funds. The Edo State Assets Verification Committee is expected to continue its investigations, with hopes of uncovering more details about other potential financial irregularities in the Obaseki administration.
Meanwhile, the road project itself, which was meant to improve infrastructure in the state, has become a symbol of the growing tensions between the two sides. With millions of naira at stake, the dispute over the inflated project cost is set to continue dominating headlines in the coming weeks.
“This issue is not just about the road project,” said Braimah. “It’s about the way public resources were handled, and it’s time for accountability.”
