Edo Governor-Elect, Okpebholo, Commits to Cost-Effective Inauguration Amid Allegations of Last-Minute Obstacles

The Transition Committee for Edo Governor-Elect Monday Okpebholo has confirmed that the upcoming inauguration will be funded entirely from his personal resources, countering accusations from outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki that the committee borrowed N5 billion for the event.

 

In a statement on Sunday, Kassim Afegbua, a key committee member, disclosed that Okpebholo’s team had opted to avoid any public expenditure for the ceremony. The decision, he said, was aimed at maintaining transparency and addressing concerns about fiscal responsibility, following a recent meeting with Edo’s Secretary to the State Government.

 

The controversy surrounding the inauguration intensified after Obaseki’s administration alleged it was excluded from planning and claimed that official protocol for the transfer of power was not being respected. In response, Afegbua remarked that in many countries, it’s customary for outgoing leaders to organize the handover ceremonies, a standard he believes has been deliberately ignored. He accused Obaseki of “planting landmines” for the incoming administration through last-minute decisions that he claimed would burden the new government.

 

“We’re witnessing a disheartening display of frustration from the outgoing administration,” Afegbua said. “Governor Obaseki appears to be making strategic moves to impede a smooth transition, a clear divergence from global power transfer norms.”

 

Afegbua also alleged that the government house had been left with only one functional vehicle, as others had reportedly been removed by officials under Obaseki’s tenure. He emphasized that Okpebholo’s administration intends to prioritize Edo residents’ needs over ostentatious displays of wealth, reaffirming a commitment to fiscal responsibility in the new leadership.

 

As the inauguration approaches, the Transition Committee called on the public to remain focused on the incoming administration’s promises for development and integrity in governance, pledging to overcome any challenges in the transfer of power.