… Urges Okpebholo led administration to verify such figures with DMO
By Simeon OSAJIE
Former Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has faulted claims by Senator Monday Okpebholo led administration of the state that his administration left behind a debt burden of N600 billion.
Obaseki, through his Media Adviser, Crusoe Osagie, urged the current administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo to verify such figures with the Debt Management Office (DMO), insisting that no such liability existed.
He described the allegations by the Okpebholo-led government as falsehoods capable of tarnishing the nation’s image, adding that no government at any level – local, state, or federal – can obtain loans or incur debt without the approval and record of the DMO.
According to Obaseki, statements from the Edo State government suggest a lack of understanding of governance. He particularly faulted comments made by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, describing them as “false and completely misplaced.”
Obaseki said such remarks were not only misleading but also damaging to Nigeria’s reputation and to the image of the President.
On the ongoing probe into the Museum of West African Arts, (MOWAA), the former governor stressed that the museum remains an international brand that entered a duly executed business agreement with the Edo State Government.
He maintained that all documents and records relating to the transaction were properly captured in the state’s transition report.
“MOWAA is an international investment drawing funds from the German government, the United Kingdom, and the French government for its development,” Obaseki explained. “You think such an investment will be put on land that was not ceded to that organization by the state?”
The former Edo governor criticized the Okpebholo administration for spreading what he called “irresponsible information,” warning that such conduct could harm Nigeria’s image abroad.
“These people just come out there and toss all kinds of irresponsible information out there,” Obaseki said. “At the end of the day, what happens is that all of these turn around to form the intelligence that is gathered about Nigeria by the international community. It makes these countries think that the country is a failed state and not being properly governed.”
Ex-Governor Obaseki added that such statements coming from a state also governed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) further reinforced negative perceptions from foreign nations.
“Can you people kindly ask where that N600bn he is speaking about is recorded in the DMO office?” he asked. “If Obaseki took such loans or had such indebtedness, at least you can find it there in the DMO office. So he just comes out and spews these lies and makes these statements. It gives the impression that the state is being governed by touts, by people who don’t understand what it means to run a