kpebholo accuses LG chairs of misappropriation of N12 billion, but PDP disagrees.

On Tuesday, Monday Okpebholo, the governor of Edo State, accused the 18 local government council chairmen who were suspended of transferring and diverting over N12 billion to PDP politicians during a 15-month period.

Tony Aziegbemi, the chairman of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, refuted the accusation, stating that the suspended council chairmen did not provide the PDP leaders with the money.

Aziegbemi encouraged the governor to send any such situation to the state's anti-corruption agency rather than enforcing the law himself and challenged him to support his assertion with facts.
On December 17, 2024, the Edo State House of Assembly passed a motion suspending the state's 18 local government area chairmen and vice-chairmen.
Following a plea from the governor on the chairmen's failure to provide the state government with their councils' financial data, the resolution was passed.

The suspended chairmen filed a lawsuit, and the Federal High Court in Abuja decided to keep things as they were while the complaint was being heard.

After some council chairmen were impeached, the leaders of the legislative houses in the councils took over executive duties, and two of the suspended chairman joined the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Speaking to the 18 councils' acting chairman and council members who were paying a courtesy call at Government House, Okpebholo emphasized that he had called the suspended chairmen to explain specific spending, but they were unable to do so.

In a statement headlined "Gov Okpebholo: Over N12bn Remitted to PDP Leaders in 15 Months by Suspended LG Chairmen," released on Tuesday, Fred Itua, Okpebholo's chief press secretary, revealed the meeting's specifics.
According to a remark from Okpebholo, "I met with the Accountant-General when I first arrived at work, and he showed me some books." There was no explanation for some of these costs. A spending item with the description "Environmental Security Funding" caught my attention. That was something I had never heard of before, and the monthly sum involved was enormous—N800 million. It was suspected that these chairmen were providing party leaders with this money.

 

According to the governor, the disclosure prompted a meeting with the chairmen, who were unable to provide an explanation for the funds allotted for environmental security.
"I invited the chairmen, but I was unable to meet with them," he continued. They met with my deputy. None of them were able to provide an explanation for some of the expenses he requested. They promised to provide their books within a day when he urged them to do so. However, my deputy declined, saying we should wait 48 hours. Since none of these chairmen turned in their books within the allotted two weeks, they failed to follow the guidelines.
I then wrote to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to request that they examine their records. I also wrote to the Edo State House of Assembly because, as a former lawmaker, I am aware that there is a body that has jurisdiction over them. They were suspended for two months after declining an invitation to meet with the MPs.

He claimed that even in cases where schools lacked teachers, these chairmen participated in unnecessary spending.

"You find two or three teachers when you visit primary schools, when there should be ten or twelve teachers," complained Okpebholo.

"You folks have changed the narrative, and for that I want to thank you. There is nothing illegal about what you did. It is acceptable to remove a corrupt individual who has misused public monies for their own benefit. You are my chairmen, and I recognize you. You are the only one who can propel grassroots growth. Additionally, the President has counseled governors and acknowledges local government.

"The heads of the various local government councils are welcome to collaborate with me. I'm determined to collaborate with you to make sure that different council regions advance. As chairmen of the municipal government, you have complete authority. In order to help you fulfill your responsibilities to the people at the grassroots level, the Local Government Commission will work with you," he stated.

For the sake of the people at the grassroots level, he cautioned the council leaders that the funds belonged to the local governments.

"The grassroots is the rightful owner of the local government funds, not you. Therefore, proceed and utilize the available resources," Okpebholo emphasized.

The governor was reassured by Damian Lawani, the chairman of the Local Government Commission, who accompanied the acting council leaders on the courtesy visit, that the chairmen were prepared to collaborate closely with the administration to guarantee that the grassroots populace benefited from democracy.

In response to the N12bn allegation, the state PDP challenged Okpebholo to back his claim with evidence.
"We challenge the governor to substantiate the assertion that PDP leaders received such funds. Aziegbemi said, "He ought to be specific about who got what, when, how, and from whom."

As the state chairman, I can affirm with confidence that I have no knowledge of the distribution of such funds. The governor's justification for the unlawful suspension of the chairmen is irrational. We want the governor to disclose it to the anti-corruption agency for investigation, regardless of whether any money was paid to anyone. The rule of law ought to be upheld in both our nation and our state. "The governor is simply spouting figures and disparaging the Edo State governor's office," Aziegbemi stated.