500 Edo Government Vehicles Missing, Okpebholo’s Spokesman Reveals.
The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Fred Itua, has disclosed that nearly 500 vehicles belonging to the Edo State Government are unaccounted for.
This marks a significant escalation from the initial estimate of 200 vehicles reported missing.
The revelation was made during Itua’s appearance on Channels Television’s Lunchtime Politics.
He shared that the recovery committee, led by Kelly Okungbowa, has so far retrieved about ten vehicles.
“From the findings of the committee, the initial figure of 200 was an understatement.
The latest count suggests that almost 500 vehicles are still missing,” Itua stated.
According to Itua, several of these vehicles have been traced to prominent individuals connected to the previous administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
“As of yesterday, 21 vehicles were found at the residence of a top appointee of the past government, and another 15 were linked to another high-ranking official,” he said.
The committee intends to recover all such assets held in private hands.
This investigation is part of the broader probe into the administration of Obaseki, initiated by Governor Okpebholo, who assumed office after defeating Obaseki’s preferred candidate, Asue Ighodalo, in the September 21 governorship election.
The committee’s efforts aim to uphold probity, accountability, and transparency in governance, as promised by Okpebholo.
The findings have deepened the tension between the current administration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the previous government led by Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Obaseki’s media aide, Crusoe Osagie, has dismissed the probe as a diversionary tactic, accusing Okpebholo of incompetence and being unprepared for leadership.
“This is a smokescreen to mask the governor-elect’s lack of readiness for office,” Osagie claimed.
Governor Okpebholo’s administration has also accused the Obaseki government of leaving behind no vehicles or tangible assets for officials of the new government.
The probe is the latest chapter in the ongoing political fallout between the two administrations, with more recoveries and disclosures expected in the coming days.
This development underscores the growing scrutiny on public asset management in Edo State and raises questions about governance and accountability in the outgoing administration.
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NIGPOST
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