The Edo State Government and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are in conflict over Governor Monday Okpebholo’s plan to investigate former governor Godwin Obaseki regarding a $10 million expenditure on the state-owned Nigeria Observer Newspaper. During an inspection of the newspaper’s premises, Okpebholo expressed surprise at his inability to access the facilities where equipment purchased by the previous administration was supposed to be housed.
In response, Chris Nehikhare, the state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, criticized the governor’s claims, branding them “laughable.” He questioned how the governor could not access what he implied was his own property and suggested that Okpebholo was acting like a newcomer rather than someone who had been in office for over four months.
Nehikhare stated, “It is indeed shocking and quite disappointing that Okpebholo still speaks like a stranger who is in the process of taking over a government that he was sworn into.” He also recalled that shortly after taking office, Okpebholo ordered the dismissal of all civil servant staff employed by the Nigerian Observer.
In his rebuttal, Chief Press Secretary Fred Itua dismissed the PDP’s statement as showcasing ignorance. He clarified that the investigation pertains to the $10 million budgeted by Obaseki for the newspaper just before the 2024 governorship elections, not the equipment itself.
Itua added that Obaseki left behind a financial burden that needed addressing, emphasizing that the machinery in question was old and inefficient, requiring significant investment to function properly. He defended the decision to dismiss the Observer staff, questioning how those no longer employed could be present at the premises.
