… Dismisses PDP’s allegations on LG administration

… Dismisses rumours of new tax on private schools

The Edo State government has vowed to investigate the alleged mismanagement of $10 million by the immediate past Governor of the State, Mr Godwin Obaseki in the failed revamp of the state-owned newspaper, The Nigerian Observer.

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo made this declaration during an unscheduled visit to the newspaper’s premises, accompanied by top officials of his administration. 

However, he and his team were shocked to find the entire facility locked, preventing them from verifying the existence of machines reportedly purchased with public funds. 

The governor expressed disappointment that despite the significant amount purportedly spent on modernising the media house, the premises appeared abandoned, with no signs of activity or staff presence.

The newspaper, once a vibrant publication, was shut down under Obaseki’s administration with the promise of restructuring it to compete with leading national dailies. 

However, rather than fulfilling this commitment, the organisation has remained non-operational, raising concerns over the whereabouts of the allocated funds. 

“Key figures in Obaseki’s media team, including his Special Adviser on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, and former Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare, were involved in overseeing the project.

Speaking at the site, Governor Okpebholo questioned the legitimacy of the claimed expenditure, stating, “The former governor said he spent $10 million to revamp this newspaper before the election, yet everywhere is locked, and there is nothing inside. I couldn’t even see a single cleaner or staff member working there. If the place was operational, people would be there, especially given the amount supposedly invested.”

He further pledged to return for a thorough inspection, ensuring that Edo taxpayers get answers about their money. 

“I need to check the buildings myself and confirm if the machines are actually inside. Right now, I can’t say whether they exist because I couldn’t access the premises. Edo people deserve transparency, and I will get to the bottom of this.”

Meanwhile, the Edo State Government has refuted claims by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that Governor Monday Okpebholo violated Local Government Administration Laws, asserting that all actions taken were in line with the Nigerian Constitution to ensure accountability.

Responding to accusations made by PDP Caretaker Committee Chairman Tony Aziegbemi, who called on the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to halt state allocations, Commissioner for Information and Communication Hon. Paul Ohonbamu stated that the governor had no involvement in the impeachment of local government chairmen.

Ohonbamu explained that under Section 7 of the Nigerian Constitution, local governments must be run democratically, and the state government is responsible for enacting laws for their proper administration. 

He clarified that the Edo State House of Assembly, not the governor, suspended the local government chairmen after they failed to present financial records when requested for accountability purposes.

The commissioner emphasised that the chairmen were impeached by their own councillors, who had grown dissatisfied with their leadership. 

He pointed out that the House of Assembly, which has the constitutional power to impeach the governor and deputy governor, acted within its legal rights. 

He also dismissed allegations that the state government had failed to pay salaries, citing an ongoing court case involving Oredo local government workers against their chairman as evidence of mismanagement at the local level.

Ohonbamu described the PDP’s claims of a constitutional crisis as baseless, stating that the party was attempting to manipulate public sentiment with false accusations against Governor Okpebholo. 

He reaffirmed the governor’s commitment to good governance and ensuring accountability in Edo State.

Also, the Edo State Government has denied claims that it has introduced a tax on private schools, calling the reports false and politically motivated.

Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon. Paul Ohonbamu, dismissed the rumour as “a malicious fabrication by enemies of the state.” 

He emphasised that taxation is a legal matter, and no such law has been passed by the Edo State House of Assembly. There is also no executive bill before the Assembly proposing any form of tax on private schools.

A false report had claimed that private schools would be required to pay between ₦30,000 and ₦35,000 per student as a tax assessment. 

Ohonbamu urged Edo residents to disregard the misinformation, asserting that it was an attempt to undermine the achievements of Governor Monday Okpebholo.

“The Edo APC-led government will not tax poverty or impose financial burdens on the underprivileged,” he said. 

Citing Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed, he stressed that the administration’s priority is to empower, not to oppress its citizens.

Ohonbamu pointed out that even the tax reform currently being discussed at the National Assembly is aimed at exempting low-income earners from personal income tax. 

He assured the public that Governor Okpebholo is committed to governance that uplifts the people rather than adding to their financial strain.