Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has announced plans to launch a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the financial activities of his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, citing alleged misuse of public funds during Obaseki’s eight-year tenure.
Speaking at a victory party held on Friday, July 11, 2025, at the Government House in Benin City, Okpebholo said the decision follows the Supreme Court’s affirmation of his victory in the September 21, 2024, governorship election.
“Edo was tired of transactional people and thieves. We will open the books and interrogate officials to understand what happened over the last eight years,” he declared.
The governor accused Obaseki’s administration of governing through consultants and neglecting competent civil servants within the state. He alleged that payments totaling ₦6 billion and ₦2 billion were made to a consultant for “ordinary software” deployed at EdoGIS, describing the expenditure as unjustified.
“We have developed our own software and trained our own people to handle the job. That consultant has been sent packing,” he said. “We’re now saving money and empowering our civil servants.”
Okpebholo further claimed that a consultant was paid ₦51 million, exceeding the ₦47 million allocated to a state university, a disparity he described as unacceptable.
He emphasized that despite being in office for only eight months, his administration is already making visible progress, using existing staff efficiently without mass dismissals.
“The Head of Service and many Permanent Secretaries under Obaseki are still working with me. The difference is we’re using them efficiently,” he added.
The governor accused the opposition of attempting to manipulate the electoral process and judicial outcomes by setting aside funds to influence both the election and court rulings, but said those efforts failed.
“They were looking for judges to bribe, but couldn’t find any. The people voted for me, and the courts including the Supreme Court affirmed it,” Okpebholo said.
He pledged that the forthcoming Commission of Inquiry would be empowered to thoroughly examine how Edo State’s resources were managed under Obaseki’s leadership.
“They’ve finished fighting us. Now, I’m ready to fight back not for myself, but to protect the interests of Edo people,” he concluded.
