Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has vowed to investigate the eight-year administration of his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki.
Speaking during a victory parade at the Government House in Benin City on Friday, Governor Okpebholo said he would set up a Commission of Inquiry to look into how public funds were managed under Obaseki, who governed the state from 2016 to 2024.
Okpebholo, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), took over power after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost the last governorship election. He said his government would review financial records and public projects from the Obaseki era.
“I will open the books to check the financial dealings and how Obaseki governed Edo State in the last eight years,” Okpebholo said. “A university in this state received N47 million under Obaseki, while a consultant was paid N51 million. This was not good enough.”
The governor also stated that he had not sacked any civil servants since assuming office. “The Head of Service from Obaseki’s government is still working with me, along with several permanent secretaries,” he added.
He further alleged that PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo and his party reserved funds for election campaigns and court battles.
Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa, who praised the recent Supreme Court ruling in their favour, urged the administration to now focus on delivering good governance.
Also speaking, former Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu expressed gratitude for the APC’s victory, saying Edo people would appreciate voting for Okpebholo once they begin to see positive results.
The coming weeks are expected to reveal more about the planned investigation, as the new administration begins to settle in.