How the APC Has Started Looting the Treasury – Obaseki

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Though yet to officially take over the government of Edo State, outgoing governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki, has accused the incoming All Progressives Congress, (APC) administration of Senator Monday Okpebholo of having started to squander the ₦27 billion he had reserved for payment of contractors and other obligations by borrowing to fund the November 12 inauguration with the intention of recouping it on getting into office.

Governor Obaseki leveled this allegation on Friday at the inauguration of the caretaker committee members set up by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to run its affairs pending the election of new executives.

The governor, who intimated party faithful, leaders and other stakeholders on the ongoing judicial process of recovering the party’s allegedly stolen mandate, said “We have almost ₦27 billion to pay for projects and obligations, but they have started blowing it, and they have gone to borrow money for the inauguration which is going to cost them ₦2 to ₦5 billion. That is the money they will first take from the treasury.”

Describing their imminent exit from office as “holiday period”, the governor encouraged the people to remain strong and united, confident that there was no way the APC could wriggle out of the overwhelming evidence the PDP has to retrieve its mandate.

He complained that though a new government was going to be inaugurated in Edo State “and the Edo State Government is not involved. People behave as if there is no law, forgetting that we are guided by constitution and law. There are procedures to handle things. They are doing an inauguration, and the governor is not even invited. It is like they are starting a brand-new government and a brand-new state”.

The caretaker committee, set up in pursuant of Section 29(2)(b) of PDP’s Constitution (2017 as amended), was charged with the responsibility of running the affairs of the party in Edo State, as stipulated in Section 21(2) (a-b) of its constitution for a period not exceeding 90 days (Three months) or till a new Executive Committee is elected.

Inaugurating the committee headed by Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, at the PDP Secretariat in Benin City, Obaseki, expressed confidence that the party would reclaim its mandate allegedly stolen by the All-Progressives Congress (APC) during the September 21 governorship poll, and therefore sued for unity and cohesion as the party explored the judicial process.

According to him, “We want a cohesive party as we fight for our stolen mandate, and I am sure we will get it back. Our mandate was stolen in broad daylight; everybody saw how they stole the mandate of the people.

“We have evidence to show how our mandate was stolen and by the grace of God, we will recover it. It will be difficult for them to go away with this stolen mandate…

“Illegality pervades the land and we have to be patient for a while as our democracy must work. We know how they stole our mandate; we have evidence of how they stole it, but let’s see how they get out of this.

“Our people came out to cast their votes for our party. We are challenging that result and we know victory will be ours. Let’s play our part as politicians. We know these people are great liars and good at deception. We have to be out there talking and never allow their lies to take over.

“The tribunal hearing will start by December, and we want the people to be alert. The people are asking questions; it shows they are interested. The greatest thing we need now is harmony in the party and we need to talk to our people more now. The party must be in touch with the local government chairmen on a weekly basis. The party must be in touch with the House of Assembly members; let the people know what is going on.

“In this holiday period, they will want to spend as much money as possible to confuse the people. They are going to struggle to change their perception”.

The governor assured the people that he would not be far away from the party as he would never leave but remain to give advice.

He insisted that, “This our stolen mandate, we will get it back for the sake of Nigeria because if we allow the APC to go with our stolen mandate, it will mark the end of democracy in Nigeria. This fight is not for our candidate but for the people of Nigeria and our nation’s democracy.”

Also speaking, the party’s candidate in the contentious election, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, charged the party to be ready for a tough battle and the journey to reclaim its alleged stolen mandate.

While thanking the governor for his focus, determination, and for leading the people right, Ighodalo urged the people to be focused on the project of reclaiming their stolen mandate.

He stated that “We expect them to reply to our petition next week. We also have five days to reply to their petition. This will take us to about the 19th of November 2024. We will then start what is called the pre-hearing before the major hearing which may start by the end of November.

“Our lawyers are working and are ready to reply to their petition. Times are hard and we are in difficult times; we should stand firm and be strong as we navigate the journey to reclaim our stolen mandate.”

The Committee, chaired by Dr. Tony Aziegbemi has Henry Duke Tenebe as Secretary.

Other members of the caretaker committee are Harrison Omagbon, Fidel Igenegbale, Chris Nehikhare, Tony Anenih Jnr, Arch. Bishop Anthony Okosun, Segun Saiki, Adezat Kuburat Ibrahim, and Augustine Edosomwan.