How Suspended Edo Council Chairmen Gifted Party Leaders N12 Billion – Gov Okpebholo

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Edo state Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, accused the suspended Chairmen of the Local Councils of being the conduit through which billions of Naira public funds were illegally channeled to some Peoples Democratic Party PDP bigwigs in the State.

The Source reports that the 18 Local Government Chairmen and their Deputies were, on December 15,  suspended from office by Governor Okpebholo.

The Edo state Government cited the failure of the Council officials to avail the State- inaugurated Assets verifications and recovery committee their  Councils’ financial records as earlier directed by the Governor.

A statement by his Media Aide, Fred Itua, alleged that the suspended Council officials collectively and severally remitted a whooping sum of N12 billion to some leaders of the ousted PDP within a very short  period

Okpebholo who revealed this at an interactive session with the Interim Leadership of the Councils at the Government House, alleged that the  embattled Chairmen were making a monthly payment of N800 million to the coffers of the PDP stalwarts.

According to  Governor Okpebholo, the outrageous payments were made under a nebulous subhead called ‘Environmental Security Funding.’

“When I came into office, I had a meeting with the Accountant General of the State, and he showed me some books. Some of these spending had no explanation.

“I picked interest in some of the spendings because I saw an item which was tagged ‘Environmental Security Funding’

“I have never heard about that before, and the amount involved was huge – N800 million every month. These Chairmen were contributing this money and giving them to the leaders of a party.

“This development led to inviting the Chairmen to a meeting. But I could not meet with them personally. However, my Deputy met with them.

“He asked them to explain certain spendings but none could explain. He asked them to provide their books and they agreed, and promised to do so within 24 hours. But my Deputy said no, let it be in the next 48 hours

“But these Chairmen ended up not obeying the directive even in two weeks time as none submitted his books.

“Following the  development, I sent a letter to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, to look into the records.

“As a former parliamentarian, I know there is a body that has a function over them. So l sent a letter to the Edo State House of Assembly ,and they were invited, but they refused to go. They were subsequently suspended from office for two months”, Governor Okpebholo stated.

He expressed deep concern that this high level of  profligacy and questionable expenditures were being incurred at the same time most of the public infrastructures, particularly schools, were in a very deplorable condition.

“These Chairmen were engaged in wasteful spendings, even when our schools did not have teachers .When you get to primary schools, you will find two or three teachers where you are supposed to have 10 or more”, the Governor noted .

He, therefore, appealed to the interim leadership of the Councils to prioritize grassroots development which he insisted is one of the focal points of his administration.

“The only way to drive development to the grassroots is through you. The President also recognizes the Local Government as such and has been consistently advising Governors to be intentional in accelerating growth through the Local Governments .

“I am ready to work with the Chairmen of various Local Government Areas .I am ready to work with you to see that various council areas progress .

“You have the full power as Local Government Chairmen. The Local Government Commission will cooperate with you to ensure you succeed in your duties to serve the grassroots people”, the Governor noted.