By DADA AYOKHAI
A Socio Political Group, GIDIGBA GROUP, has alleged that Governor Monday Okpebholo diverted the sum of N15.6 Billion naira.
According to the statement from the group, the alleged fund is supposed to be the November and December Local Government Council’s allocations.
” Is the fund the primary motive behind the crisis and the push to remove the 18 elected chairmen and vice chairmen in the state? they queries
This move, according to the coordinator of the Group, Sunday Idugboe, seems to be an attempt to control the council’s resources.
It was learned that every month, the allocation of the council is paid to the State Government account where it should have been immediately transmitted into each LGAs account.
In sharp contrast, an insider who revealed to the GIDIGBA GROUP said that the receipt for the council’s November, and December allocations were not transmitted, a move that is seen as a blatant disregard for the Supreme Court’s judgment on local government autonomy, delivered on July 11, 2024.
According to Idugboe, the Coordinator of the GIDIGBA GROUP, “the people are aware that the state government has resorted to the use of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, to harass chairmen after the attempt to impeach them via various kangaroo means also failed”
He hoghlited that their concern has been it is not possible for the 18 LGC chairmen to be guilty of the same offence alongside their vice Chairmen, according to the GIDIGBA GROUP
According to a reliable source, the funds, paid into the Edo State Government and LGA’s joint account, have been expended by the state government to engage their needs where local government operations have been stuck.
Recall that, the court ruled that local governments can manage their finances, collect revenues, and allocate resources without state government interference and approval.
The Attorney General of the Federation, and Minister of Justice- Hon. Lateef Fagbemi validated this decision, emphasizing the federal government’s support for local government autonomy.
However, Governor Okpebholo’s actions seem to undermine this judgment.
His administration has been accused of using trumped-up charges of insubordination and financial mismanagement to witch-hunt the elected 18 LGAs Council Chairmen, who have been purportedly suspended by the Edo State House of Assembly for two months.
This suspension has been widely condemned by the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria ALGON, which views it as an undermining of democracy.
The diversion of funds meant for local governments in Edo State has raised serious concerns about Governor Okpebholo’s administration, with many questioning its accountability and transparency.
This issue is further complicated by the fact that none of the local government councils in Edo State have presented their budgets, hindering the implementation of projects and the delivery of democracy’s dividends to the grassroots.
The situation is dire and warrants immediate attention from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The GIDIGBA GROUP’s Idugboe noted that the governor’s actions, such as the suspension of local government chairmen, have been perceived as a power struggle rather than a genuine effort to promote transparency and good governance.
Idugboe added, “this is an afront on the constitution which we cannot allow to continue to drag. The president must act now to restore constitutional democracy in Edo State”
”The president must ensure that the governor’s actions are aligned with the principles of transparency, accountability, and good governance”.
However, reacting to the allegations the Commissioner of information, Edo State, Hon. Paul Ohonbamu refuted the claims, saying there is nothing like that.
Ohonbamu emphasised that, “If the governor can frown at the way and manner they dissipate local government resources meant for grassroots development, he can never be party to diverting”.
He said the Governor wants physical independence for local government operations.
”Are they now saying for the past two months they have not been paid or nothing is happening at the council? The local government allocations have always been remitted through the joint account and it is only recently they want to pay it directly to their account”.
Ohonbamu emphasized that Governor Okpebholo is a strong advocate for transparency and accountability.
According to Ohonbamu, the governor’s commitment to these values is evident in his disapproval of the reckless management of local government resources.
This stance is particularly significant in light of President Tinubu’s government prioritizing the financial and administrative independence of local government areas LGAs, as reaffirmed by the Supreme Court’s July judgment.¹
As the crisis escalates, it remains to be seen how the federal government and the judiciary will respond to these allegations.
Edo Council Crisis: Governor Okpebholo Accused of Diverting N15.6 Billion Council Allocation
