Edo Governor Okpebholo Celebrates Supreme Court Victory, Promises Full Probe of Obaseki’s Administration

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, says it's time to get to work—and that includes digging into the past.

Following the Supreme Court’s affirmation of his 2024 election victory, Governor Okpebholo took to the streets of Benin City in a massive victory march, joined by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, top government officials, APC party leaders, and thousands of supporters.

But the celebration didn’t end with dancing and singing. Speaking to the crowd at the Government House, Okpebholo made a bold declaration: his government will open the books on his predecessor, former Governor Godwin Obaseki.

"I will set up a Commission of Inquiry to examine the financial dealings and decisions made under the Obaseki administration,” the Governor announced to cheering supporters.

 

Okpebholo expressed concern over what he called “reckless spending,” pointing to examples such as Edo Geographic Information Service (EdoGIS), where he claimed N6 billion and another N2 billion were paid to consultants for software-related services.

“We have since trained our own people to do the job. That consultant is gone, and we’re saving billions of naira,” he added.

He criticized the former administration for relying heavily on consultants rather than using the talent already available within the state’s civil service.

 Okpebholo said his government has prioritized empowering state workers and cutting down unnecessary expenses.

“Our civil servants are some of the best minds. There was no need to bring in outsiders while ignoring the skills we already had,” he said.

He also cited an incident where a university in the state received N47 million, while a consultant was paid N51 million for a task he believed didn’t justify the cost.

While the Governor has kept most of the civil servants from the previous administration, including the Head of Service and several Permanent Secretaries, he emphasized that his administration is focused on accountability and development—not politics.

“We are only eight months into this government, and Edo people can already feel the change. Give us two years, and it they will know they have a Governor working for them.”

However, not everyone at the celebration felt appreciated. Thousands of supporters who had marched alongside the Governor from the Benin Airport were locked out of the Government House upon arrival. Security operatives told them only “high-profile” individuals would be allowed inside for refreshments.

One disappointed supporter, Mrs. Ebosele Omogiate, shared her frustration:

“I left my house before 7 a.m. and stood under the sun for hours waiting for the governor. We walked all the way with him, only to be shut out at the gate. It was unfair.”

As the dust settles on the political battle, Governor Okpebholo appears set on two missions: governing with the people’s interests at heart—and uncovering the truth about Edo’s past leadership.