•no such money was given to PDP Leaders — Aziegbemi
The Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Tuesday, alleged that the embattled 18 local government council chairmen in a year and three months remitted over N12 billion to leaders of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state
Governor Okpebholo made the allegation while playing host to the acting Chairmen and Councilors of the 18 Local Government Areas, who were in Government House on a courtesy visit
He commended the acting Chairmen and the Councillors for their courageous act in upholding democracy and ensuring transparency at the Local Government level, stressing that Local Government funds do not belong to any individual, irrespective of status.
Okpebholo narrated: “When I came into the office, I had a meeting with the Accountant-General, and he showed me some books. Some of these spending 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.”
The Governor said that the alleged discovery led to a meeting with the former Chairmen who were asked to explain the money allocated to Environmental Security funding, but they could not.
“I invited the Chairmen but 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, Iet 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”, Okpebholo added.
He further alleged that suspended/impeached Chairmen were engaged 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 recognize you as my Chairmen.
“The only way to drive development to the grassroots is through you. The President also recognized 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.
“The money that belongs to the local government. It does not belong to you but the grassroots. So, go and work with the resources,” Senator Okpebholo advised.
Chairman Local Government Commission, Hon. Damian Lawani who led the acting local government Chairmen on the courtesy visit, assured the Governor that the Chairmen are ready to work closely with the administration and ensure the people at the grassroots enjoy the dividends of democracy.
Lawani said: “The Chairmen working at the grassroots level are in full support of your development strive in the State and are ready to collaborate with you to ensure the people at the grassroots enjoy good governance.”
The acting Chairmen of Uhunmwonde, Hon. Iradia Benjamin Osas; Esan West Hon. Godsent Agboibo; and Owan West, Hon. Joy Ohonyon, pledged their loyalty to the state government.
They assured Opkebholo and the people of the State that they will collaborate and support the current administration in Edo to succeed and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people, especially those at the grassroots.
Attempts to get reactions from the embattled council chairmen were not successful as calls and texts messages sent to their cell phones were not unanswered nor responded to.
But, the Caretaker Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, promised to get back to our correspondent through a statement from the party.
As at the time of this report, he was yet to issue the statement, while,the Acting Publicity Secretary of the party in Edo, Hon. Chris Nehikhare, in a not too friendly tone told our Correspondent to get across to the affected Chairmen for their reactions, saying that it was not a party affairs issue.
Reacting to the Governor’s allegations, The chairman of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, Tony Aziegbemi, denied the allegation, noting that such money was not given to the PDP leaders by the suspended council chairman.
He urged the governor to back his claim with evidence urging him not to take the law into his hands butto refer any of such matter to the anti-corruption agency in the state
Aziegbemi said, “No such money was given to PDP leaders and we challenge the governor to bring evidence to support that claim. He should touch on specific, who got what, when, how and from who.
“As the state chairman, i am telling you with all sense of responsibility that I am not aware that such money was given to any one. The route the governor is taking to justify the illegal suspension of the chairmen is unreasonable.
“Even if any money was paid to anyone, we expect the governor to report to the anti-corruption agency to investigate. We are in a country and a state where the rule of law should prevail.
“The governor is just throwing figures and belittling the office governor of Edo State.”
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