The Edo State Government has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to provide concrete evidence supporting his allegations of looting and vandalism against the government. In a statement released by the Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media Projects, the government challenged Okpebholo to substantiate his claims by naming the banks from which the government allegedly obtained loans in the past three months or provide any other proof to support his accusations.
The government emphasized the seriousness of the matter and demanded credible and verifiable evidence within the stipulated time frame. Failure to do so would require Okpebholo to issue an unequivocal apology to the State Government. The government made it clear that governance in Edo State is a serious affair, and baseless allegations will not be tolerated.
Okpebholo had previously raised concerns about the alleged misappropriation of government funds and assets by officials of the outgoing administration led by Governor Godwin Obaseki. He urged banks to refrain from granting loans to the state government during the transition period and called for investigations by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission and the Department of State Security.
The governor-elect is scheduled to assume office on November 12 after the handover ceremony.