Okpebholo’s flurry of probes: A diversion to mask incompetence and unpreparedness

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has come under heavy criticism following his decision to establish a 14-member asset verification committee aimed at probing the administration of his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki.

The committee, which is set to be sworn in on Tuesday, will be tasked with investigating the assets accumulated during Obaseki’s tenure as governor.

This latest move by Okpebholo follows closely on the heels of another investigation he ordered into the recruitment process within the state civil service, specifically targeting appointments made between May and November 2024 under the leadership of Obaseki.

The asset verification probe and the civil service recruitment investigation have raised eyebrows, with many questioning the timing and intent of these inquiries.

In response to these developments, a statement from Osagie, the media aide to Obaseki, sharply criticized Okpebholo’s administration for launching what he described as “meaningless” investigations.

Osagie accused the new governor of using the probes as a distraction from what he termed the “glaring incompetence and lack of direction” within Okpebholo’s government.

According to Osagie, the asset verification committee is just the latest in a series of “diversionary” probes, which have included investigations into civil servants’ employment, ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs), and government assets.

Osagie argued that these actions reflect a lack of vision and clear policy direction from Okpebholo, who he claimed is relying on “empty probes” as a smokescreen to divert public attention from the administration’s apparent inability to govern effectively.

In his statement, Osagie also defended the Obaseki administration, describing it as one of the most transparent, accountable, and prudent in Nigeria’s history.

He highlighted the Obaseki government’s commitment to transparency and fiscal discipline, which he argued had laid a solid foundation for the state’s achievements across various sectors.

According to Osagie, these investigations by Okpebholo are an attempt to undermine the progress made during Obaseki’s time in office, with the new administration seeking to undo the reforms and policies that were implemented over the past several years.

“The laughable and utterly ridiculous statement by Okpebholo’s administration regarding the formation of a 14-member state assets verification committee is just another attempt to distract from the incompetence of his government,” Osagie said.

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He added that such probes serve no purpose other than to create confusion and buy time for the governor, who has yet to demonstrate any clear vision or plan for Edo State’s future.

Osagie further accused Okpebholo of being politically weak, claiming that the current governor is under the influence of powerful political godfathers who are seeking revenge after being excluded from the state’s resources during the Obaseki administration.

This, Osagie suggested, was the true motive behind the probes—an attempt to settle scores rather than address the pressing needs of the people of Edo.

The media aide pointed out that Obaseki’s administration had prioritized transparency, achieving significant milestones in various sectors, including education, healthcare, infrastructure, and fiscal management.

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He stated that the achievements of the Obaseki government were a testament to the effectiveness of its governance model, which had been characterized by prudent financial management and accountability.

“The Obaseki administration achieved an unprecedented level of transparency in governance, laying a solid foundation for fiscal discipline, which enabled us to accomplish numerous milestones,” Osagie emphasized. “This is why the current government’s constant focus on irrelevant probes is so glaring. It is a smokescreen to mask their incompetence.”

Osagie concluded by urging Okpebholo to focus on the real issues facing the people of Edo State, such as improving governance, addressing infrastructure deficits, and fostering economic growth, instead of engaging in what he described as “futile probes.”

He warned that Okpebholo’s administration would be judged not by the noise it makes through its investigations but by the tangible impact it delivers for the people of Edo.

“The people of Edo are watching closely. Okpebholo’s government, which is likely to be short-lived until the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) reclaims its rightful mandate, will ultimately be judged by its performance, not by the political games it plays,” Osagie said.

The asset verification and civil service recruitment probes have already generated significant public debate, and it remains to be seen how Okpebholo’s administration will respond to the growing criticism.

As the investigations move forward, the focus will likely shift to the extent to which they will impact governance and the daily lives of Edo residents.

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