FRESH from his legal victory at the Supreme Court, Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Friday announced plans to establish a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the administration of his predecessor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, alleging widespread misuse of public funds and over-reliance on costly consultants.
Okpebholo made the announcement while addressing a jubilant crowd at the Government House in Benin City, where a victory parade was held in his honour. The celebration marked his return to the state following the Supreme Court’s judgment that upheld his victory in the September 21, 2024, governorship election.
Accompanied by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, the governor received a rousing welcome from party faithful, youth groups, civil servants, market women, and professionals who turned out in large numbers to celebrate what they described as a “mandate reclaimed and affirmed.”
In a speech laced with gratitude, resolve, and pointed accusations, Governor Okpebholo said:
“We thank God for this victory, but now is the time to work. In two years, Edo people will know they have a governor. But first, we must look into how the resources of this state were used under the previous administration.”
The governor alleged that former Governor Obaseki outsourced critical government functions to private consultants, neglecting capable civil servants. He revealed that his administration discovered that a consultant hired under Obaseki’s government was paid a staggering N8 billion—N6 billion for consultancy and another N2 billion for software.
“Imagine that—a whopping N8 billion for ordinary software! Meanwhile, a state-owned university was given only N47 million during that period. Is this governance? We found it unacceptable,” Okpebholo said.
Highlighting a shift in governance philosophy, Okpebholo said his administration has discontinued the use of high-cost consultants and instead trained and empowered state civil servants to take over the jobs.
“Our civil servants are among the best brains in the country. We’ve retrained them and built internal capacity. That consultant has been sent out of the state. We are saving money now—money that will go into real development.”
Okpebholo emphasized that no civil servant has been sacked under his leadership. He praised the continuity within the public service, noting that even the Head of Service and many permanent secretaries from Obaseki’s era are still in office.
Raising the stakes further, Okpebholo said his government would not sweep alleged financial recklessness under the rug. He disclosed plans to establish a Commission of Inquiry to review all financial transactions, contracts, and governance decisions made during Obaseki’s eight-year tenure.
“We will open the books and check every kobo spent. Those who were involved in cheating Edo people will be interrogated. They thought they had finished fighting us—but now, I am ready to fight back. Every questionable act will be brought to light,” the governor vowed.
Governor Okpebholo expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, crediting him with ensuring that democratic institutions were allowed to function and that the will of Edo people was respected.
“President Tinubu stood for justice. He made sure that the right thing was done. This is the kind of leadership Nigeria needs—leadership that upholds the rule of law,” Okpebholo said.
The victory parade also served as a platform for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State to galvanize its supporters for the months ahead. APC leaders hailed the Supreme Court judgment as a turning point for the state and a new dawn of accountability.
In his own remarks, Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa echoed his principal’s sentiments, describing the legal battle as long but worth the wait. He thanked party leaders and supporters for standing firm throughout the process.
“We fought hard, from the ballots to the tribunals and up to the Supreme Court. Now that victory is assured, it’s time to focus on delivering real dividends of democracy to the people of Edo.”
The announcement of a probe is expected to stir political waters in Edo State, where Godwin Obaseki remains an influential figure within the opposition ranks. The coming weeks may see tensions rise as the commission begins its work.
Legal observers say the scope and independence of the commission will be crucial in determining whether the probe serves public interest or becomes a political witch-hunt. Nonetheless, civil society organizations are already calling for transparency and urging the governor to publish the commission’s findings when complete.