Godwin Obaseki, the outgoing governor, requested passage of a fourth supplemental budget since January 2024, but the Edo State House of Assembly rejected his request just two weeks before he leaves office.
Since January 2024, three supplemental budgets have been adopted by the House, led by Speaker Blessing Agbebaku. The third, which was approved on the eve of the governorship election on September 21st, totaled N450 billion.
According to Obaseki, the most recent request, which was denied on Monday, was for him to fund Monday Okpebholo, the incoming governor, so that he could begin his duties as governor.
The Centre for Good Governance and Public Safety, on the other hand, has characterized the supplemental budgets as a conspiracy between the legislative and executive branches of government that involves fraud and abuse of authority.
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Since Obaseki is still the Governor and Chief Executive of the State, the Center urged him to defend public properties against looters. However, Obaseki was challenged to demonstrate that he was not responsible for the plunder of government properties by his agents.
In a statement, the Center noted that the nation’s democracy is highly concerned about the growing tendency of public officials, particularly security forces, robbing government buildings while one government is transitioning to another.
According to the statement, which Solomon Igiehon signed, Obaseki has been allowing politicians and public employees to plunder government property in Edo State. Obaseki has maintained that he is the state’s governor until November 12, when he cedes power to Senator Okpebholo, the governor-elect.
Igiehon described the theft of property in Edo state, describing how some political figures went to a street in New Benin and removed solar panels and street light poles that had previously been put in place by the administration of Governor Obaseki.
In a different development, some government agents were also seen taking a brand-new 500KVA generator from the Edo State Geographical Information Service’s building on Sapele Road in Benin.
At the Victor Uwaifoh Hub, Igiehon added, a woman was also observed taking brand-new Hilux cars, refrigerators, and television sets from the Nigerian Observer newspaper’s building.
According to the Center, the Governor’s silence is startling. “For the past seven years, public service has dreaded and feared this man, whom they have referred to as Iron Bender,” the statement said.
“The governor has either resigned from his position of authority or was at fault. Therefore, in such a brazen exhibition, we are urging the EFCC, the DSS, and the police to crack down on individuals stealing Edo State government property.
Since these properties were acquired using Edo state funds, the Transition Committee, led by Dr. Pius Odubu, ought to submit a petition to the security agency as well.
According to the statement, “the people of the State should volunteer more information on those who have looted government properties in the state to serve as a deterrent to others.”
