The outgoing Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a loan of between N2 billion and N5 billion to fund the upcoming inauguration of the Governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, scheduled for November 12.
Obaseki made this claim during the inauguration of a caretaker committee for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benin City.
He expressed concern that, despite the state facing financial obligations amounting to nearly N27 billion for ongoing projects, the APC was borrowing funds for the inauguration, rather than addressing pressing state debts.
He lamented that the outgoing administration was being excluded from the transition process, highlighting that he was not even invited to the inauguration ceremony.
“Instead of using available funds to pay off outstanding debts and project costs, they have resorted to borrowing money for the inauguration,” Obaseki said, emphasizing that this could complicate the state’s financial situation further.
Obaseki also accused the APC of trying to manipulate public perception by spending excessively during this transition period. “They are doing all this to confuse the people and alter their perception of the incoming government. They are presenting it as though it is a brand-new state and government, completely disconnected from the outgoing one.” He said.
Despite the tension, Obaseki assured PDP members that he would remain involved in the party and continue to offer guidance.
He also reiterated his commitment to fighting for the restoration of what he described as the “stolen mandate” of the PDP, insisting that the struggle was not just for the party’s candidate, but for the future of Nigeria’s democracy.
In response, Prince Kassim Afegbua, a member of the APC transition committee, rejected Obaseki’s claims.
He questioned why the outgoing government was not fulfilling its duty to organize the inauguration of the new governor.
“Shouldn’t it be the outgoing administration organizing the inauguration? Does it make sense for someone coming into office to plan their own swearing-in?” Afegbua remarked, dismissing the accusations as baseless and arguing that the APC had no obligation to include Obaseki in the event.
