By Okeke Eunice
On Tuesday, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, claimed that the suspended chairpersons of the state’s 18 local government councils had diverted and funneled approximately N12 billion to leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over a 15-month period.
In response, Tony Aziegbemi, Chairman of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, dismissed the allegations, maintaining that no such funds were received by PDP leaders from the suspended council officials.
He challenged the governor to present evidence to support his claims and urged him to involve the state’s anti-corruption agency rather than taking unilateral action.
The Edo State House of Assembly had earlier, on December 17, 2024, passed a resolution to suspend the chairpersons and their deputies across all 18 local government areas.
The resolution was prompted by a petition from the governor, citing the chairpersons’ failure to provide their councils’ financial records to the state government.
In response, the suspended chairpersons filed a lawsuit, leading the Federal High Court in Abuja to order that the current situation remains unchanged until the case is resolved.
Meanwhile, leaders of the local council legislative houses have taken on executive roles following the impeachment of some chairpersons, and two of the suspended officials have switched allegiance to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
While hosting the acting chairpersons and councillors of the 18 local government councils at the Government House, Governor Monday Okpebholo emphasized that he had previously summoned the suspended chairpersons to account for certain expenditures, but they failed to provide explanations.
In a statement issued by Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, and titled “Gov Okpebholo: Over N12bn Remitted to PDP Leaders in 15 Months by Suspended LG Chairmen,” the governor detailed his findings.
Okpebholo revealed that upon assuming office, the Accountant-General presented financial records that raised concerns. He noted one particular item labeled “Environmental Security Funding,” which involved a significant sum of N800 million monthly. According to him, the chairpersons were allegedly pooling this money and redirecting it to leaders of a political party.
The governor explained that this discovery prompted a meeting with the chairpersons to clarify the funds allocated to environmental security, but they could not provide satisfactory explanations. He stated, “I invited the chairpersons, but I couldn’t meet with them. My deputy met with them instead, requesting details of certain expenditures. While they promised to provide their records within 24 hours, my deputy extended the deadline to 48 hours. However, none of them submitted their financial records even after two weeks.”
“I subsequently wrote to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate their financial records. As a former parliamentarian, I understand that oversight of local government officials falls within the purview of certain bodies, so I also notified the Edo State House of Assembly.
The chairpersons were summoned by the lawmakers but refused to appear, prompting their two-month suspension,” he stated.
The governor further accused the chairpersons of reckless spending, highlighting that resources were misused while schools in their jurisdictions faced a shortage of teachers.
“When you visit primary schools, there are often just two or three teachers when there should be 10 to 12,” Governor Okpebholo lamented.
He expressed gratitude to the acting council leaders, stating, “You have changed the narrative. Removing corrupt officials who misuse local funds is within the law. I recognize you as the legitimate chairpersons, and grassroots development depends on your efforts. Even the President acknowledges the importance of local governments and has urged governors to support them.”
Okpebholo pledged his commitment to collaborating with the council chairpersons to foster development in their areas, assuring them of the Local Government Commission’s support. “You have full authority as local government leaders, and I am ready to work with you to ensure progress. The resources belong to the grassroots, not to you personally, so use them responsibly to serve the people,” he stressed.
During the courtesy visit, Damian Lawani, Chairman of the Local Government Commission, assured the governor that the acting council leaders were ready to work closely with his administration to deliver tangible benefits to the grassroots.
In response to Okpebholo’s N12 billion corruption allegation, the state PDP challenged him to provide concrete evidence to substantiate his claims.
“No such funds were given to PDP leaders, and we challenge the governor to provide evidence to back his claim. Let him clarify who received the money, when it was given, how it was disbursed, and from whom,” Aziegbemi stated.
“As the state chairman, I can confidently say I am unaware of any such payments being made to anyone. The governor’s approach to justify the illegal suspension of the council chairmen is unreasonable. Even if such payments were made, the proper course of action would be to report the matter to the anti-corruption agency for investigation.
We live in a state and a country governed by the rule of law, and the governor’s actions undermine this principle. Throwing around unsubstantiated figures only diminishes the dignity of the Edo State governor’s office,” Aziegbemi concluded.