A fresh political dispute has erupted in Edo State, with the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo and his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, trading accusations over the state’s financial health.
The conflict centres on a claim by the current government that it inherited a debt burden of N600 billion, an allegation the former governor has strongly denied.
The Okpebholo administration levelled the accusation as part of events marking its first year in office. Addressing journalists in Benin City on Monday, the Commissioner for Communication and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, provided a detailed breakdown of the alleged liabilities.
He stated that the debt includes N187 billion owed to various contractors for projects initiated by the previous government.
Afegbua, who also served on the state’s Asset Verification Committee, revealed that the current government has initiated investigations into several high-profile projects from the Obaseki era, specifically naming the Radisson Hotel and the Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA).
He raised particular concern about the MOWAA project’s location, alleging, “When we reviewed the land mappings, we discovered that a large expanse of land belonging to the old General Hospital was taken over for the MOWAA project. The governor has met with the promoters and expressed displeasure that such a vital health facility was sacrificed for a museum.”
Regarding the Radisson Hotel, the commissioner alleged serious financial irregularities. “A private individual registered a company, brought N10bn as equity, and took 80 per cent ownership, while Edo State, which invested N25bn, was left with only 20 per cent,” Afegbua claimed.
He concluded by stating, “Despite receiving N1.68 trillion in total revenue, the Obaseki administration still left a debt profile of about N600bn.”
However, in a swift and firm rebuttal, Obaseki’s camp dismissed the allegations as baseless. In a statement, Crusoe Osagie, the Special Adviser on Media to the former governor, described the claims as “false and diversionary.” He urged the new administration to concentrate on its own governance record rather than, in his view, engaging in propaganda.
Directly challenging the N600bn debt figure, Osagie insisted that the Obaseki administration left the state’s finances in a robust condition. “The Radisson Blu transaction was transparently executed, and details are contained in the Transition Report we handed over. If they truly believe a crime was committed, they should report it to the EFCC rather than making empty allegations,” he stated.
On the specific issue of contractor debt, Osagie posed a logical counter-question: “If we had N40bn and were owing contractors, why didn’t we pay them? These are lies,” he asserted, maintaining that the previous government left over N40bn in various state accounts. He emphasised that governance is a continuous process, noting, “Government is a continuum. If work was done, it’s the duty of the succeeding government to pay for completed portions.”
Shifting the focus to the present administration’s performance, Osagie issued a challenge: “Twelve months into their tenure, they should be talking about what they’ve achieved for Edo people, not peddling falsehoods about the past.”
Amid the war of words, Commissioner Afegbua outlined activities for the government’s anniversary, which he said would involve inauguting completed projects across the state’s three senatorial districts from November 7 to 11.
He also highlighted security investments, including the purchase of over 60 operational vehicles and 400 motorcycles, and the recruitment of 2,500 personnel into the Edo Security Corps.
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