Edo govt taunts Okpebholo on alleged N5bn swearing-in expenses

…asks APC to leave Obaseki alone

The Edo State Government has asked the Governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo to focus on organising an exorbitant N5bn inauguration ceremony and leave the highly-fulfilled Governor, Godwin Obaseki, out of their petty politics.

A statement issued by the Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, said it was regrettable that the new Government would be starting on a sorry note of lavishing the State’s resources on November 12th inauguration instead of thinking of how to hit the ground running.

“It is quite telling that we are back to the era where unconscionable spending sprees, jamborees and parties are the preoccupation of government in Edo State.

“It is unheard of that the governor was not invited to the inauguration ceremony, which reveals the level of pettiness that would prevail in this new dispensation.

Read also: Edo Assembly Recalls Two Suspended Members, congratulates Okpebholo.

“The incoming government has made commitments to the vendors to the tune of N5bn in official capacity with many more expenses expected to be incurred on November 12, the day of the inauguration.

“It would indeed be a very sad day for Edo people who have hitherto witnessed prudent and judicious use of public funds to drive economic development in the State, to have their resources frittered in this manner”, the statement partly read.

It added that the incoming Government was throwing tantrums about the professional manner that the Government had wound down as against the old practice where there would be wanton vandalisation of government property and assets.

“We have maintained decorum in the handing over process and the incoming government is having none of it because they also intended to stage a heist of government assets with the intention to point fingers at the outgoing government.

“Today, they’ve been disappointed and they’re now seeking out Obaseki for blames. We are not surprised. In fact, we would only have been perplexed if they didn’t go this route in attempting to malign the government”, Osagie added.