The Edo State Government has called on the Governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo, to prioritize governance and avoid unnecessary distractions, particularly surrounding the extravagant N5 billion budget allocated for his inauguration ceremony. The government’s request comes amid growing concerns about the incoming administration’s approach to its first official act in office, which the current administration views as an undue focus on celebrations and wasteful spending.
Crusoe Osagie, the Special Adviser to outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media Projects, expressed disappointment in a statement, emphasizing that the new administration’s preoccupation with the inauguration is not in the best interest of Edo residents. “It is telling that we have returned to an era where reckless spending, celebrations, and frivolities are prioritized in Edo State governance,” Osagie remarked. He further criticized the incoming administration for focusing on extravagant displays instead of addressing critical governance issues that could benefit the state’s economic and social development.
Osagie also pointed out the exclusion of Governor Obaseki from the inauguration plans, which he described as a sign of the “pettiness” that may define the new administration’s approach to leadership. “The exclusion of the current governor from the inauguration event highlights the pettiness that is likely to define this new administration,” Osagie noted, adding that such actions suggest a lack of statesmanship and an unwillingness to collaborate for the greater good of the state.
The Edo State Government has expressed its concerns over the N5 billion the incoming administration has committed to spending on the inauguration. Osagie described this decision as indicative of an administration more interested in celebrating itself than in managing the state’s resources responsibly. “The incoming government has committed to spending N5 billion in an official capacity for the inauguration, with additional costs anticipated on November 12, the event day,” he said, highlighting that the scale of the spending appeared disproportionate in comparison to the state’s pressing needs.
The Special Adviser further stated that the people of Edo State, who have become accustomed to a more prudent approach under the Obaseki administration, would be disheartened by such expenditure. “It is indeed disheartening for the people of Edo, who have become accustomed to prudent and strategic use of public funds to stimulate economic growth, to witness such reckless expenditure,” Osagie remarked, suggesting that the funds could be better spent on addressing critical infrastructure and social issues.
Osagie also emphasized that the current administration had worked diligently to ensure a smooth transition process, highlighting the professionalism with which Governor Obaseki and his team have handled the handover to the incoming administration. He contrasted this approach with the actions of the Governor-elect’s camp, who he claims have used the transition period to attempt to shift blame onto the outgoing administration. “We have upheld a respectful approach in the handover process, but the incoming administration appears frustrated by this because they anticipated an opportunity to exploit and accuse the outgoing government of mismanagement,” Osagie observed.
The Special Adviser suggested that the incoming government’s accusations were baseless, given the lack of evidence to support claims of mismanagement under Governor Obaseki’s leadership. “With no such opening, they are now directing baseless accusations at Obaseki,” Osagie concluded, implying that the new administration had resorted to unfounded blame-shifting tactics as a means of justifying its own actions. “This attempt to shift blame is not unexpected, but we would have been surprised if they had chosen any other approach,” he added.
The statement from the Edo State Government comes amid heightened political tensions as the state prepares for a leadership change. With the inauguration ceremony slated for November 12, the incoming administration’s plans for the event continue to dominate public discourse, particularly due to the large financial commitment involved.
For many, the decision to allocate such a significant portion of the state’s resources toward the inauguration raises questions about the new leadership’s priorities, especially given the challenges that the state continues to face in areas like healthcare, education, and infrastructure development. Critics argue that such an extravagant event may reflect poorly on the incoming administration, signaling a potential disconnect from the everyday concerns of Edo residents.
The calls from the Obaseki administration for a more responsible approach to governance have sparked a broader conversation about fiscal management and the role of public office holders in prioritizing the welfare of the people. In particular, there is concern that the N5 billion earmarked for the inauguration could have been better utilized to address the pressing needs of the state, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and its ongoing economic impact.
