The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has accused Governor Monday Okpebholo of mismanaging over N30 billion in just 14 days.
The money, according to the PDP, was left behind by the previous administration of Godwin Obaseki.
Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, chairman of the PDP’s caretaker committee in Edo State, made these claims at a press conference.
The event, titled State of the Nation Address, became a platform for the party to air its grievances.
Aziegbemi alleged that the money was used to reward political godfathers.
He claimed these godfathers helped Okpebholo secure victory in the September 21, 2024, governorship election.
“Over N30 billion has vanished in just two weeks,” Aziegbemi declared.
He also accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government of failing to pay civil servants their November salaries.
According to him, the previous PDP administration ensured workers were paid by the 26th of every month.
“This new government has failed Edo workers,” Aziegbemi lamented.
He claimed that Obaseki’s administration left enough money in the state’s coffers to pay salaries.
“Even with over N30 billion in the treasury, salaries remain unpaid,” he said.
Aziegbemi further alleged that the new government had spent N5 billion on vehicles.
He claimed the purchase was done without following due process.
The PDP chairman warned that Edo’s Procurement Act was being ignored.
“Governor Okpebholo procured over N5 billion worth of vehicles without proper documentation,” he said.
According to Aziegbemi, civil servants in the governor’s office were being pressured to accept the vehicles.
He added that officials were being threatened for refusing to sign off on the purchase.
The PDP also accused the government of trying to cover up inauguration costs.
Aziegbemi alleged that over N2 billion was being accounted for under suspicious circumstances.
“They are desperately looking for ways to pass entries for N2 billion as inauguration costs,” he claimed.
The PDP chairman described these actions as a betrayal of public trust.
“For eight years, Obaseki’s government paid salaries promptly,” he stated.
“No worker received any credit alert for November 2024,” Aziegbemi emphasized.
The PDP believes the funds were shared among political allies.
“They have filtered the money away and shared it with their godfathers,” he said.
Edo Government Fires Back
In response, the Edo State Government dismissed the allegations as baseless.
Fred Itua, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okpebholo, released a statement addressing the claims.
Itua accused the PDP of trying to distract the new administration.
“No amount of blackmail will stop us from recovering Edo’s wealth,” Itua stated.
He insisted that the new government was focused on development.
“The Okpebholo administration is in a hurry to deliver results,” Itua said.
He promised that the government would expose what he described as the PDP’s “eight-year rot.”
“We will recover the commonwealth from a few dubious men,” he added.
The statement suggested that the PDP was panicking because of impending revelations.
Itua assured Edo residents that their expectations would be met.
“The government remains undaunted,” he concluded.