Okpebholo Pledges Action On Assets Verification Report As PDP Cry Foul
By Osehobo Ofure, Benin
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has vowed to implement the findings of the Assets Verification Committee, assuring that his administration will act decisively on the report’s recommendations.
Speaking at the Government House in Benin City while receiving the committee’s report, Governor Okpebholo commended the team for their work and reaffirmed his commitment to accountability and transparency.
“I appreciate the committee for a job well done and the time invested in this exercise. I understand the challenges you faced, yet you successfully carried out this crucial assignment. Rest assured that your findings and recommendations will be implemented appropriately,” Okpebholo stated.
Presenting the report, the committee’s chairman, Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe said the exercise was not just about past actions but also a call to accountability in governance.
“This report serves as a pivotal moment for Edo State, marking the need to take stock of our current position and chart a course toward greater financial prudence and responsible asset management,” Umakhihe said.
The report detailed Edo State’s assets and liabilities, highlighting concerns over mismanagement, improper resource allocation, and alleged misuse of consultants in government operations. The committee identified substantial financial obligations left by the previous administration, including debts and contracts that require urgent review.
“One of the critical aspects of this report is the revelation of significant financial obligations left behind by the previous administration, some of which pose a heavy burden on the state’s fiscal health,” Umakhihe explained.
The committee also recommended a re-evaluation of government contracts, leases, and corporate entities suspected of having unclear ownership structures linked to the past administration.
Meanwhile the findings have sparked backlash from the camp of the Edo PDP and the immediate past Governor Godwin Obaseki, whose media adviser, Crusoe Osagie, dismissed the report as a politically motivated witch-hunt.
In a statement issued shortly after the report was made public, Osagie described the findings as “deliberate falsehoods” aimed at maligning the Obaseki administration.
“Every asset and transaction carried out under the Obaseki administration is fully documented in the Transition Committee Report handed over to the Okpebholo government before their takeover,” Osagie stated.
He urged the public to refer to the transition document, which he said contained verifiable data, rather than relying on “contrived information” from the verification committee.
