According to a report by Vanguard Newspapers on Saturday, 12 July 2025, Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has vowed to thoroughly investigate the financial dealings of the outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration, promising transparency and accountability.
Speaking to reporters, Okpebholo stated that his government will not ignore the financial irregularities allegedly committed under Obaseki’s watch. He stressed the need to examine the state’s finances over the last eight years, raising questions about the prioritization of spending by the current administration.
“I will open the books to check the financial dealings and how Obaseki governed Edo State in the last eight years,” Okpebholo declared. “A university in this state received N47 million under Obaseki’s administration, while he paid a consultant N51 million. This was not good enough. They wanted to continue with this act, but God helped us to push them out.”
The senator criticized what he described as misplaced priorities, noting that crucial sectors like education suffered while consultants and external contractors were paid exorbitantly.
His remarks signal a strong shift in governance approach and have already stirred political reactions within the state. Analysts believe this could trigger a series of audits and possible legal consequences, depending on the outcome of the investigation.
Okpebholo’s statement comes shortly after his emergence as governor-elect following a hotly contested election that saw the All Progressives Congress reclaim Edo State from the Peoples Democratic Party.
Observers say the incoming administration is setting the tone for a reform-oriented tenure by emphasizing due process, fiscal responsibility, and good governance. However, critics warn that the probe must not be used as a tool for political witch-hunting but as a genuine move to promote accountability.
