The outgoing Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki has alleged that the All Progressives Congress, APC, is borrowing between N2 billion and N5 billion to finance the inauguration of the new governor.
Obaseki, who disclosed this at the inauguration of 10-man caretaker committee members of the State’s PDP in Benin City, however, lamented that the outgoing government was not carried along nor invited for the inauguration.
He alleged that the incoming government has started spending the sum of almost N27 billion set aside for the payment for projects and other obligations by his administration.
According to reports gathered, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the candidate of the APC, who defeated the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo in the September 21, 2024 governorship election in the State would be sworn-in on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
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Also speaking, Asue Ighodalo, the party’s candidate at the September 21, 2024 governorship election, however charged the party to be ready for a tough battle and the journey to reclaim the stolen mandate.
Meanwhile, the State chapter of APC, had in a statement issued recently alleged that out of the N24.6 billion deposited into the Edo State Government’s account recently, a staggering N14 billion was siphoned by the outgoing government within one week.
The party also alleged that without due process to fiscal responsibility, Governor Obaseki had sought and received approval for three supplementary budgets since January 2024.
It noted the most recent of the supplementary budgets was the N450 billion allocation passed on the eve of the September 21, 2024 gubernatorial election by the State House of Assembly.
The statement further stated, the astronomical figure demands answers, adding that Edo people have a right to know where the resources have gone and why their future have been mortgaged by an outgoing administration that appears determined to empty the state coffers before leaving office.