Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, has called on Governor Monday Okpebholo to investigate his predecessor, former Governor Godwin Obaseki, over alleged mismanagement of state funds and infrastructure projects.

 

 

 

 

Celebrating Okpebholo’s Supreme Court victory, Oshiomhole, who is also a former governor of Edo State, declared that it was time to “rescue” the state through accountability and transparency.

 

 

 

 

His remarks followed the unanimous decision of a five-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Lawal Garba, which upheld Okpebholo’s election as governor. The court ruled that the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo, failed to prove claims of over-voting, non-compliance with the Electoral Act, and other electoral irregularities.

 

 

 

The court held that based on the evidence presented, Ighodalo was not elected by the majority of lawful votes cast.

 

 

 

 

Addressing supporters and party faithful, Oshiomhole said the judgment clears the way for the current administration to examine how resources were handled under Obaseki’s leadership.

 

 

 

“Now that the Supreme Court judgement has been made, Okpebholo now has time to look at that hotel where Edo state money in tens of billions of dollars was taken,” Oshiomhole said.

 

 

 

He further criticized the quality of infrastructure built under Obaseki’s administration.

 

 

 

“The governor now has time to revisit all the roads that were built and washed up, compared to the ones I did, which are still there,” he said.

 

 

 

Oshiomhole also challenged Obaseki to publicly engage with the people of Edo State.

 

 

 

 

“So by the time your Excellency now has time for the second rematch, Obaseki will have to come out from hiding to answer to those questions. We have come to rescue Edo, but to rescue means you must also investigate.

 

 

 

“How did we get here? So that in the future nobody will get there. God will give you the wisdom, the energy and everything required to keep our state going,” he added.

 

 

 

“I now challenge Obaseki to come to Edo; let us work as former governors. Let us all walk on the streets of Benin. Let’s see who did what to affect the life of the people.”