The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, and the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caretaker chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, are locked in a dispute over alleged mismanagement of local government allocations amounting to N83 billion.
Speaking on Thursday, Governor Okpebholo alleged that the chairmen of the state’s 18 local government areas misappropriated the substantial funds received from the Federal Government in 2024.
He highlighted that despite monthly allocations increasing under President Bola Tinubu’s administration—from N3.5 billion to over N8 billion—there was no visible development in the councils.
“Between January and September 2024, the councils received over N6.5 billion monthly, while between October and December, this rose to over N8 billion. Despite receiving N83 billion in one year, there is nothing to show for it,” Okpebholo stated.
He further accused the chairmen, who have since been suspended, of diverting N12 billion to PDP leaders, leaving schools and infrastructure in poor condition.
Okpebholo lamented, “The chairmen had been in office for one year and they have nothing to show for it, while other states are utilising their resources well for the people.
“These chairmen had the boldness to remove N800m monthly from local government accounts while our schools suffered without good classrooms, teachers and other infrastructure.
“We are here to correct the wrongs as Edo State must move forward and no individual will draw us back.
“My administration is set and ready to cooperate with you, provided you work in line with Mr President’s plan for local government councils by ensuring development gets to the grassroots.
“We will invest so much in agriculture. We will visit you to ensure we collaborate and make things work,” he said.
In response, PDP’s Aziegbemi dismissed the allegations as baseless and urged the governor to present any evidence to anti-corruption agencies.
“What I will just say is that the governor does not have the capacity to understand these figures. The best he can do is to refer these matters to the anti-corruption agencies.
“It is not his job to wake up every morning and be talking about monies spent. He cannot be accusing men and women of high integrity everyday. It is like an obsession for him now.
“He should get on with the governance of the state and stop disturbing us with figures, raging from N800m, N8bn now N83bn. Is that why he was elected? He should please carry on with his job,” Aziegbemi said.
