- Safiu Kehinde
The Centre for Good Governance and Public Safety, has raised alarm over alleged looting of properties during transition period
from outgoing to incoming government in Edo state.
Mr Solomon Igiehon, the group’s chairman in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said:”this is of great concern to the country’s democracy”.
Igiehon said it was unfortunate that some political elements allegedly went to a street in New Benin area of the state and uprooted solar street light poles and solar panels installed by the Obaseki-led administration.
”Some agents were also recorded removing a brand new 500KVA generator from the premises of the Edo Geographical Information Service, along Sapele Road, Benin.
”A woman was also caught removing new television sets, fridges, and a brand new Hilux from the premises of the Nigerian Observer newspaper at the Victor Uwaifoh Hub,” he alleged.
Igiehon charged Obaseki to protect the public property from looters to avoid being accused of involvement.
”I call on Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo to protect public property from looters, since he is still the governor until Nov. 12 when he hands over to his successor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo.
”This is critical to prove that he is not culpable in the alleged looting of government property in the state”, he said.
Igiehon added that the state governor should not be silent while such acts were going on in the state.
He called on the police, the DSS, and EFCC to clamp down on those looting properties of Edo government in such bold display.
“The Transition Committeee under Dr Pius Odubu should also petition the security agency because these properties were purchased with Edo resources.
“The people of the state should volunteer more information on those that have looted government properties in Edo to serve as deterrent to others,” Igiehon said.
Meanwhile, he faulted Obaseki’s recent request for supplementary budget in less than two weeks to the expiration of the tenure of his administration which had been turned down by the State House of Assembly.
The Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku had approved three supplementary budgets since January 2024, with the third amounting to N450 billion on the eve of the Sept .21 governorship election.
Obaseki in the latest request which was turned down on Monday, said it was to provide money for the in-coming governor to use in settling down to the business of governance.
The group’s chairman described the supplementary budgets as an abuse of power.