Olusegun Ariyo
The outgoing Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki has alleged that the All-Progressives Congress, APC, is borrowing between N2 billion and N5 billion to finance the inauguration of the new governor.
Obaseki, who disclosed this at the inauguration of 10-man caretaker committee members of the State’s PDP in Benin City on Friday, however, lamented that the outgoing government was not carried along nor invited for the inauguration.
Senator Monday Okpebholo, the candidate of the APC, who defeated the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo in the September 21, 2024 governorship election in the State would be sworn in on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
He alleged that the incoming government has started spending the sum of almost N27 billion set aside for the payment for projects and other obligations by his administration.
“In this holiday period, they will want to spend as much money as possible to confuse the people. They are going to struggle to change their perception.
“We have almost N27 billion to pay for projects and obligations, but they have started blowing it, and they have gone to borrow money for the inauguration which is going to cost them N2 to N5 billion. That is the money they will first take from the treasury.
“They are doing an inauguration and the governor is not even invited. It is like they are starting a brand-new government and a brand-new state”, he said.
Speaking further, Obaseki assured the people that he would not be far away from the party as he would never leave the party but would remain to give advice.
He also assured the party’s chieftains and faithful that the party would reclaim its stolen mandate.
“We will get our stolen mandate back, for the sake of Nigeria because if we allow the APC to go with our stolen mandate, it will mark the end of democracy in Nigeria.
“This fight is not for our candidate but for the people of Nigeria and our nation’s democracy”, he added.
Also speaking, Asue Ighodalo, the party’s candidate at the September 21, 2024 governorship election, however, charged the party to be ready for a tough battle and the journey to reclaim the stolen mandate.
“We expect them to reply to our petition next week. We also have five days to reply to their petition.
“This will take us to about the 19th of November, 2024. We will then start what is called the pre-hearing before the major hearing which may start by the end of November.
“Our lawyers are working and are ready to reply to their petition. Times are hard and we are in difficult times, we should stand firm and be strong as we navigate the journey to reclaim our stolen mandate”, he stated.
Meanwhile, the State chapter of APC, had in a statement issued recently alleged that out of the N24.6 billion deposited into the Edo State Government’s account recently, a staggering N14 billion was siphoned by the outgoing government within one week.
The party also alleged that without due process to fiscal responsibility, Governor Obaseki had sought and received approval for three supplementary budgets since January 2024.
It noted the most recent of the supplementary budgets was the N450 billion allocation passed on the eve of the September 21, 2024 gubernatorial election by the State House of Assembly.
“The outgoing administration’s pursuit of multiple supplementary budgets within such a short period raises suspicions about the actual purpose behind these massive allocations.
“The total amount squandered during his tenure has reportedly neared the staggering sum of 2 trillion Naira.
“This astronomical figure demands answers. Edo people have a right to know where these resources have gone and why their future has been mortgaged by an outgoing administration that appears determined to empty the state coffers before leaving office”, the statement stated.
