10th November, 2024
By Jethro Ibileke
The transition committee for the upcoming inauguration of Senator Monday Okpebholo as Governor of Edo State has accused the outgoing administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki of obstruction and creating challenges for the handover process.
Prince Kassim Afegbua, a member of the transition committee, issued a statement on Sunday in response to Obaseki’s allegation that his administration was excluded from the inauguration planning.
Afegbua also dismissed Obaseki’s claim that the APC plans to borrow between ₦2 billion and ₦5 billion to fund the inauguration.
Obaseki recently suggested that the APC was tapping into the ₦27 billion he left for project payments and other obligations and alleged that the APC was also seeking loans to finance the inauguration of Senator Okpebholo’s government.
In his response, Afegbua argued that, traditionally, outgoing governors or presidents oversee inauguration planning for incoming leaders.
He asserted that Obaseki and his supporters were attempting to hinder the transition due to the PDP’s electoral defeat.
“Governor Obaseki is focused on obstructing a smooth power transition instead of planning the inauguration event, as is customary in other settings,” Afegbua stated.
“Our team has consistently faced deliberate frustration and burdensome decisions imposed by the current administration, despite our willingness to cooperate.”
Afegbua described attempts by the state to shift budgetary responsibilities to the incoming administration.
When the committee met with the Secretary to the State Government, Afegbua said they were redirected to a Permanent Secretary who lacked preparation and requested that the committee submit an inauguration budget.
The Governor-elect reportedly declined, opting to fund the ceremony personally.
Afegbua added that the Governor-elect has scaled back the inauguration to a modest event, underscoring his priority to serve Edo’s people over hosting a lavish ceremony.
“The inauguration committee has not borrowed a kobo,” Afegbua affirmed, stating that the new administration is committed to improving lives in Edo State without incurring debt for an inauguration event.
