Edo state governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has said the embattled 18 local government chairmen remitted about N12 billion to leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 15 months.
Okpebholo said he took interest in some of the spending after the uncovering of “Environmental Security Funding” which according to him, amounted to N800 million every month.
The Edo governor stated this Tuesday 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 his guest for their “courageous act in upholding democracy and ensuring transparency at the local government level.”
Okpebholo stated that the council’s funds do not belong to any individual, irrespective of their status.
He said: “When I came into 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 they gave it to leaders of a party.”
He added that the revelation led to a meeting with the chairmen, during which they were asked to explain the money allocated to Environmental Security Funding, but they could not.
He said: “I invited the chairmen, but I could not meet with them. My deputy met with them. He asked them to explain certain spending, but none could explain.
“He asked them to provide their books, the chairmen agreed and said they would in 24 hours. However, 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,” the governor stated.