Edo governor-elect Monday Okpebholo has accused outgoing governor Godwin Obaseki of looting government property and seeking last-minute loans. He urged financial institutions to deny loan requests and called for investigations into the alleged misconduct, emphasizing the need to protect state assets before the transition of power.
Monday Okpebholo, the governor-elect of Edo State, has raised serious allegations against the outgoing governor, Godwin Obaseki, claiming that his administration is involved in the looting of government property. Okpebholo, who is set to take office on November 12, expressed his concerns in a statement on Wednesday.
He accused Obaseki's government of seeking last-minute loans from financial institutions and urged them to refrain from approving any such requests. Okpebholo warned that these actions could jeopardize the state's financial stability. "We are shocked by the reports of widespread looting of government funds and properties by officials of the outgoing administration," he stated, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
According to Okpebholo, the alleged looting involves not only funds but also tangible assets such as vehicles, furniture, and office equipment, all being removed from government offices and residences. He lamented that this behavior undermines public trust in leadership.
Furthermore, Okpebholo called for a thorough investigation by security agencies into these allegations and insisted that accountability measures should be implemented for those found culpable. Recently, Philip Shaibu, the reinstated deputy governor, echoed these concerns, urging heads of government agencies to prevent any further looting of state assets during the transition period. The accusations come at a crucial time as the state prepares for a new administration amid rising tensions.
