By Newsmata
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, on Tuesday, revealed how the 18 suspended Local Government Council Chairmen allegedly lavished about N12 billion on leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 15 months under an obscure N800 million monthly ‘Environmental Security Funding’ subhead.
The governor, who disclosed this when he received the acting Chairmen and Councillors of the councils at Government House, also explained the circumstances that led to the suspension of the ousted chairmen by the state House of Assembly.
Newsmata.com.ng reports that the council chairmen were suspended by the state House of Assembly on December 17, 2024, at the behest of Governor Okpebholo, who in a letter to the House, accused the councils’ leaderships of gross misconduct and insubordination. The chairmen had spurned a 48-hour ultimatum given them to submit their statements of account, choosing instead to approach the court to restrain the governor from compelling them to do so.
Governor Okpebholo said: “When I came into the office, I had a meeting with the accountant-general, and he showed me some books. Some of these spendings had no explanation.
“I picked interest in some of the spending because I saw an item which was tagged ‘Environmental security funding’. I have never heard of that before, and the amount involved was huge – N800 million every month. These Chairmen were contributing this money and gave it to leaders of a party.”
Governor Okpebholo said this revelation led to a meeting with the then chairmen who were asked to explain the money allocated to Environmental Security funding, but they could not.
“I invited the chairmen, but I could not meet with them, but my Deputy met with them. He asked them to explain certain spending, but none could explain. He asked them to provide their books, and they agreed and said they would in 24 hours, but the Deputy said no, let it be in 48 hours.
“But these Chairmen didn’t obey the instructions in two weeks as none of them submitted their books. Following the development, I sent a letter to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to look into their records.
“As a former parliamentarian, I know there is a body that has a function over them, so I sent a letter to Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) and they were invited and they refused to come, and they were suspended for two months.”
The governor accused the chairmen of engaging in wasteful spending “even when our schools did not have teachers. When you get to primary schools, you find two or three teachers, where you are supposed to have 10 to 12 teachers.
“I want to thank you because the narrative has been changed by you people as what you have done is not out of the law. Impeaching somebody who is corrupt, who has used the local funds for his personal gain is not wrong. I recognise you as my chairmen.
“The only way to drive development to the grassroots is through you. The President also recognised the local government and advised Governors.
“I am ready to work with the chairmen of various local government councils. I am ready to work with you to see that various council areas progress. You have the full power as local government chairmen. The local government commission will cooperate with you to ensure you succeed in your duties to serve the grassroots people”.
While commending the acting chairmen and the councillors for their courageous act in upholding democracy and ensuring transparency at the local government level, the Governor stressed that their funds do not belong to any individual, irrespective of the status.
“The money belongs to the local government. It does not belong to you but the grassroots. So, go and work with the resources,” Senator Okpebholo advised.
The Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Damian Lawani, who led the acting local government chairmen on the courtesy visit, assured the Governor that they were ready to work closely with the administration and ensure that the people at the grassroots enjoyed the dividends of democracy.
Hon Lawani said: “The Chairmen working at the grassroots level are in full support of your development stride in the state and are ready to collaborate with you to ensure the people at the grassroots enjoy good governance.”
The acting Chairmen of Uhunmwode, Iredia Benjamin Osas; Esan West, Godsent Agboibo; and Owan West, Joy Ohonyon, all pledged their loyalty to the administration, assuring the Governor and the people of Edo State that they would collaborate and support the Senator Okpebholo-led administration to succeed and deliver the dividends of democracy to Edo State, especially people at the grassroots.