Obaseki Must Account for N1.5trn Revenues, Allocations in 8years, Says Edo leaders

A group of political leaders and other stakeholders from Edo State has insisted that the out-going Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki must account for the over N1.5 trillion the State got in the last eight years through Federal allocations, generated revenues, loans, grants, and other financial incentives.

The leaders also urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to go after state officials who held sway in the last eight years.

This is coming a few days to the inauguration of Senator Monday Okpebholo-led administration in the state.

The leaders, speaking through a pro-democracy group, Initiative for Democratic Advancement and Free Speech, said despite the public outcry by Edo people, some officials of the Obaseki administration were still allegedly fiddling with the State’s resources and assets.

The organisation’s Executive Director, Patrick Osaigbovo, and others threatened that they may be forced to lead a protest to the EFCC’s Abuja office if it doesn’t act.

It should be recalled that on Friday, officials of the EFCC arrested a close ally of Obaseki, the State Accountant-General, Julius Anelu.

The anti-graft agency also grabbed two other officials in connection with N26.6 billion derivation funds allocated to the State.

The withdrawal of N13.6 billion of the money, leaving only N13 billion in the account within one week drew the interest of the EFCC.

The statement partly read, “We have watched with dismay, the inhuman looting that has been going on in Edo for years. We are surprised that the EFCC, for almost eight years, did not lift its fingers to arrest any official of Obaseki’s administration.

“Even with just a few days to go, the looting has not stopped. We are wondering if the EFCC wants the State to go bankrupt before it steps in?

“We have enough evidence to assist the EFCC in doing its job. This is to show you how much we care about our State, Edo.

“Obaseki got over N1.5 trillion as revenues and allocations in eight years. Edo State does not look like it got such funds. So, Obaseki must account for those funds now or later.”

DAILYPOST