Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has accused the suspended chairmen of 18 local government councils of diverting approximately N12 billion over the course of 15 months, allegedly funneling the funds to leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Speaking on Tuesday, Okpebholo detailed his allegations during a meeting with acting local government chairmen and councillors in Benin City.
According to the governor, financial records presented by the Accountant-General revealed unexplained expenditures, including a monthly sum of N800 million labeled “Environmental Security Funding.”
Okpebholo stated, “When I came into office, I had a meeting with the Accountant-General, and he showed me some books. Some of these expenses had no explanation. I picked interest in one spending because I saw an item labeled ‘Environmental Security Funding.’ I had never heard of that before, and the amount involved was huge—N800m every month. These chairmen were allegedly contributing this money and giving it to leaders of a party.”
The governor said the revelation led to a meeting with the chairmen, who were asked to explain the money allocated to environmental security funding, but they could not.
He added, “I invited the chairmen but could not meet with them. My deputy met with them. He asked them to explain certain expenditures, but none could. He asked them to provide their books, and they agreed, saying they would do so in 24 hours. But my deputy said no, let it be in 48 hours. These chairmen didn’t comply with the instructions within two weeks, as none of them submitted their books.
“Following this, I sent a letter to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to look into their records. As a former parliamentarian, I know there is a body that has a function over them, so I also sent a letter to the Edo State House of Assembly. They were invited but refused to meet with the lawmakers, which led to their suspension for two months.”
He alleged that these chairmen engaged in wasteful spending, even when schools lacked teachers.
“When you visit primary schools, you find two or three teachers, whereas there should be 10 to 12 teachers,” Okpebholo lamented.
“I want to thank you because the narrative has been changed by you people. What you’ve done is not outside the law. Impeaching someone who is corrupt and has used local funds for personal gain is not wrong. I recognise you as my chairmen. The only way to drive development at the grassroots level is through you. The President also recognises the local government and has advised governors.”
“I am ready to work with the chairmen of various local government councils. I am committed to working with you to ensure that various council areas progress. You have full authority as local government chairmen. The Local Government Commission will cooperate with you to ensure you succeed in your duties to serve the grassroots people,” he said.
He warned the council leaders that the money belonged to the local governments for the benefit of the grassroots.
“The local government money does not belong to you; it belongs to the grassroots. So, go and work with the resources,” Okpebholo emphasised.
The PDP, however, refuted the claims. Tony Aziegbemi, Chairman of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, challenged Okpebholo to substantiate the accusations with evidence. Aziegbemi declared, “No such money was given to PDP leaders, and we challenge the governor to provide evidence to support that claim. He should specify who received what, when, how and from whom,” Aziegbemi stated.
“As the state chairman, I can confidently say I am not aware that such money was given to anyone. The route the governor is taking to justify the illegal suspension of the chairmen is unreasonable. Even if any money was paid to anyone, we expect the governor to report it to the anti-corruption agency for investigation. We live in a country and a state where the rule of law should prevail. The governor is merely throwing around figures and belittling the office of the governor of Edo State,” Aziegbemi said.
The controversy follows the Edo State House of Assembly’s December 2024 resolution to suspend all local government chairmen for failing to provide financial records.
Legal battles ensued, with a Federal High Court in Abuja ordering a temporary status quo. Meanwhile, some council leaders were impeached, and two defected to the All Progressives Congress.
