Edo Assembly’s Last Minute Approval Of N3.5 Billion Questionable – APC Chieftain

By Ayodele Oni

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) in Edo state, John Mayaki, has queried the rationale behind last minute approval by the House of Assembly of N3.5B loan for cars, other luxuries to Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Mayaki, pointed out that despite controversial session rocked by illegitimacy claim, the legislative arm as a final act, still went ahead to grant such request.

He claimed that the former Speaker, Marcus Onobun, who presided over a divided House in which duly elected members were denied representation, led the approval process, after agreeing with the governor that the state needs to incur a debt of such magnitude to fund fresh cars for incoming legislators and other government functionaries.

“A staggering N2 billion was also earmarked for the procurement of hospital equipment for the Stella Obasanjo Hospital.

“There was no breakdown presented detailing the planned expenses and how the state governor, who requested approval for the loan, arrived at the sum.”

Mayaki, in a statement, denounced the process as a “disgraceful sham that underscores the complicity of the outgoing Assembly in the tragic plunge of the state into debt, unconstitutionality and non-transparency.

“The outgoing Assembly, which will forever carry an asterisk due to its composition deformity, has given its final slap in the face to the Edo people with this outrageous move.”

“Instead of demanding answers from the governor on why the state, under his watch, has slid into general dysfunction and decay despite a rapidly growing debt profile; the Onobun-led Assembly has given a nod to the governor to, in fact, acquire more loans and mortgage the future of the state.”

“More troubling is the fact that the approval was swiftly granted without even a pretension at accountability.

“How did the governor arrive at the N3.5b sum? Should the state government be incurring billions in loans to purchase jeeps for incoming legislators at the time people are struggling to eat three square meals?

“Was the public, whose interest the lawmakers are meant to protect, allowed to determine whether they want an additional debt burden of over 3 billion naira?

“These are important questions of governance the Assembly ought to answer before granting an approval.

“Unfortunately, either due to its complicity or incompetence, no sign exists that any of this was done before Governor Godwin Obaseki was given the imprimatur to continue his loan spree.

“Many have in fact insinuated that loan is merely a send-forth package Obaseki and his merry men have awarded themselves, at the expense of the public.

“The allegation is fueled by the observation that this Assembly has functioned effectively as an extension of the governor’s office, as illustrated by its staging of plenary sessions in an office in the Executive Wing where the governor holds sway.

“What is the implication of this for the future? What kind of Edo State will we bequeath our children? One where the independence of the legislature is a forgotten ideal and elected lawmakers bow at the feet of the governor whom they ought to hold to account?

“A state neck-deep in debts to fund the expensive taste of a few while the majority wallows in poverty? I hope these questions plague the conscience of these men, provided they still have one.”