Update: Governor Okpebholo Orders Probe Of Obaseki’s Administration

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has disclosed the setting up of a Committee to investigate the immediate-past administration of Godwin Obaseki over its failure to inaugurate 14 Edo Assembly lawmakers-elect into the 7th Assembly.

Naija News reports that Okpebholo made this known while giving his inaugural speech as the new governor of the state.

Governor Okpebholo also ordered the State Chief Judge to immediately investigate the initial delay of former Governor Obaseki to inaugurate duly-cleared judges by the National Judicial Council (NJC) last year.

He promised not to betray the confidence reposed on him and his deputy governor, adding that the people’s welfare would be the top priority of his administration.

Okpebholo said: “The welfare of our citizens is top priority for us. To achieve this, we shall implement programmes, carefully outlined in my Five-point agenda, designed to grow a robust economic growth and improve the lives of our people.

“They are: Security; Infrastructure and Road Development; Affordable Healthcare; Water and Food Sufficiency, and; and Value-Driven Education across the state.

“For a long time now, our people have become victims of kidnapping and other violent crimes. To end this ugly situation, we will be firm in dealing with criminals and improve the Security of our land, so that farming and other business activities will flourish again.

“The deplorable condition of our roads has made it difficult for people to move from one part of the State to another.

“Our policy to develop Road Infrastructure is targeted at constructing roads, drainages and bridges, to ease transportation for all. We shall immediately commence work to make the roads passable again.

“We are also ready to partner with the federal government, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, those in diaspora, and other stakeholders, to develop our State across all sectors.

“My administration shall support small businesses and market women with soft loans. Our teeming youthful population will not be left out. We shall support them to acquire relevant skills for self-empowerment.

“My administration shall immediately swing into action to recruit teachers and rebuild the deplorable classrooms. Tertiary education will be strengthened in many ways too, to ensure quality education.

“Fellow citizens, my administration is ready to link communities that have not yet been connected to the national grid, to ensure that they have electricity.

“Our traditional institution shall be given the necessary support to play their role as custodians of our rich cultural heritage. It is in recognition of this that my administration shall support the decision of the Federal Government to uphold the Oba of Benin as the exclusive owner of the returned artefacts, that were looted away by British Colonial Forces during the Benin Massacre of 1897.

“To the Edo State House of Assembly, our people have tasked us to work together for the common good of all. My Administration is ready to work with you to strengthen institutions of governance and accelerate development.

“Recall that on 17th June 2019, 14 elected members of Edo state House of Assembly were denied inauguration into the 7th Assembly.

”It was a big blow to our democracy. My administration is setting up a panel of inquiry to investigate the remote causes of that incident, so as to avoid future occurrence.

“This is very imperative because the legislative arm of government is an essential component for the sustenance of democracy.

“Under the doctrine of Separation of Powers, the Judicial arm of government shall be strengthened to administer justice; fairly and promptly.

“The delay and refusal by the previous administration to swear in three judges recommended by the National Judicial Council is indeed regrettable. The Chief Judge will look into this and take necessary actions without delay.”