Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has announced plans to establish a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the administration of his predecessor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.
According to Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Owaen Fred Itua, Governor Okpebholo made the disclosure during a victory parade at the Government House in Benin City on Friday, July 11, 2025, shortly after returning from Abuja where the Supreme Court affirmed his victory in the 2024 gubernatorial election.
Addressing a crowd of party leaders, civil servants, market women, youths, and supporters, the Governor pledged transparency, accountability, and development, stating that the past administration misused state resources under the guise of consultancy.
Okpebholo alleged that the former government paid ₦6 billion and an additional ₦2 billion to a consultant for software services under EdoGIS, which his administration has now replaced with an in-house system developed by civil servants. “We have the best brains in Edo State. Godwin Obaseki refused to use them. We trained our people and sent the consultant packing,” he said.
He promised that his administration would recover misappropriated funds and ensure that all officials involved in alleged financial mismanagement are held accountable. “We will open the books and interrogate the financial dealings of the past eight years. Edo people deserve to know how they were governed,” he added.
Governor Okpebholo emphasized that his government will rely on merit, not political affiliation, noting that he retained several civil servants and permanent secretaries from the previous administration.
He also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for standing firm in support of democracy and assured the public that his administration will deliver the dividends of democracy.
The Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, and former Deputy Governor Comrade Philip Shaibu, also expressed their gratitude for the Supreme Court verdict and called for unity and hard work to move Edo forward.
