Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the last gubernatorial election in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, as well as his running mate and former Secretary to Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie, and former Executive Chairman, Edo State Public Procurement Agency, Henry Idogun, and others holding on to government vehicles, have gone into hiding.
It was observed that the trio were also absent from the Governorship Election Tribunal sitting on Wednesday in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
Their absence from the Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Benin City may not be unconnected with the 72-hour deadline given to former government officials of the previous administration to return vehicles under their custody.
The Edo State Government had given all former government officials under the immediate-past administration a 72-hour deadline within which to return all official vehicles in their possessions or risk arrest, prosecution and possible jail terms for stealing.
Chairman of the Committee set up to recover vehicles belonging to Edo state Government, Kelly Okungbowa, said the State Government will not relent until it recovers all vehicles stolen by officials, friends, family members and political associates of the Godwin Obaseki-led administration.
Ighodalo who was in court at the inaugural sitting of the Tribunal was said to have over 21 vehicles in his custody which he has refused to return to the State Government despite all efforts made by the committee to recover the vehicles.
The former Executive Chairman, Edo State Public Procurement Agency, Henry Idogun, has also refused to return 11 vehicles in his custody and has put off his phones to avoid calls from the committee.
Others who failed to appear at the election petition tribunal for fear of being arrested by security agencies include former Special Adviser on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie who has refused to return four cars belonging to the Edo State Government.
“Former Commissioner for education Joan Osa-Oviawe has three government vehicles with her; former Commissioner for Physical Planning, Housing, Urban and Regional Development Isoke Omo, five vehicles; Gabriel Obaseki two vehicles; John Inegbedion five vehicles; former Chief of Staff Osaigbovo Iyoha has five cars among others,” said Okungbowa.
Ighodalo who claimed that his mandate was stolen has avoided the court premises where he intends to seek for justice for his mandate.
Edo State Government has advised him and others still holding to government vehicles to return them because there will be consequences for refusal to comply with government directives.
