The Edo State Government has criticized Governor-elect Senator Monday Okpebholo and his self-appointed aides, urging them to concentrate on preparing for their extravagant N5 billion inauguration ceremony and refrain from dragging Governor Godwin Obaseki into their political squabbles.
In a statement, Crusoe Osagie, the Special Adviser to Governor Obaseki on Media Projects, expressed disappointment that the new administration is beginning on a note characterized by wasteful spending instead of focusing on immediate governance priorities.
“It is telling that we have returned to an era where reckless spending, celebrations, and frivolities are prioritized in Edo State governance,” Osagie stated. “The exclusion of the current governor from the inauguration event highlights the pettiness that is likely to define this new administration.”
He continued, “The incoming government has committed to spending N5 billion in an official capacity for the inauguration, with additional costs anticipated on November 12, the event day.
“It is indeed disheartening for the people of Edo, who have become accustomed to prudent and strategic use of public funds to stimulate economic growth, to witness such reckless expenditure.”
Osagie also noted that the current administration has handled the transition process with professionalism, avoiding the chaos and destruction of government assets that marked past transitions.
“We have upheld a respectful approach in the handover process, but the incoming administration appears frustrated by this because they anticipated an opportunity to exploit and accuse the outgoing government of mismanagement. With no such opening, they are now directing baseless accusations at Obaseki,” Osagie concluded. “This attempt to shift blame is not unexpected, but we would have been surprised if they had chosen any other approach.”