Outgoing Edo Govt Claims Successor Already Put State Into N5b Debt

By Ayodele Oni

Outgoing administration in Edo State has accused its successor of putting the state in a debt of N5 billion even before assumption of office.

It advised the Governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo and his aides to focus on organizing their exorbitant N5bn inauguration ceremony and leave the highly-fulfilled Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, out of their petty politics.

In a statement, Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, said it was regrettable that the new government was starting on the sorry note of lavishing the state’s resources on the November 12 inauguration instead of thinking of how to hit the ground running.

According to him, “It is quite telling that we are back to the era where unconscionable spending sprees, jamborees and parties are the preoccupation of government in Edo State.

“It is unheard of that the governor was not invited to the inauguration ceremony, which reveals the level of pettiness that would prevail in this new dispensation.

“The incoming government has made commitments to the vendors to the tune of N5bn in official capacity with many more expenses expected to be incurred on November 12, the day of the inauguration.

“It would indeed be a very sad day for Edo people who have hitherto witnessed prudent and judicious use of public funds to drive economic development in the State, to have their resources frittered in this manner.”

He added that the incoming government was throwing tantrums about the professional manner that the government had wound down as against the old practice where there would be wanton vandalisation of government property and assets.

“We have maintained decorum in the handing over process and the incoming government is having non of it because they also intend to stage a heist of government assets with the intention to point fingers at the outgoing government.

“Today, they’ve been disappointed and they’re now seeking out Obaseki for blames. We are not surprised. In fact, we would only have been perplexed if they didn’t go this route in attempting to malign the government.”