Outgoing Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has claimed that the APC borrowed between N2 billion and N5 billion specifically to fund the inauguration of the new governor.
Obaseki said that his administration would be leaving behind an outstanding debt of nearly N27 billion, aimed at completing ongoing projects and fulfilling state obligations.
Obaseki, however, voiced concerns over the alleged extravagant expenditure by the incoming All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
Speaking at the inauguration of a 10-member caretaker committee for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Benin City, Obaseki accused the APC of excessive spending, suggesting it was an effort to win public approval.
He stated, “During this festive period, they are keen to spend as much money as possible to mislead the public. They’ve already started overspending and have reportedly borrowed between N2 and N5 billion just for the inauguration.”
Having dissolved his cabinet ahead of the November 12 handover, Obaseki assured PDP members of his continued support and pledged his loyalty to the party, promising to remain active and provide guidance.
The governor also expressed his resolve to help the PDP reclaim what he described as its “stolen mandate” after the party’s loss in the September 21 governorship election, where APC’s Senator Monday Okpebholo was declared the winner.
Obaseki stated, “We are committed to recovering our stolen mandate for the sake of Nigeria’s democracy. This is not just a fight for our candidate; it’s a fight for the people and the integrity of our democratic process.”
Supporting Obaseki’s stance, PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo urged party members to gear up for the legal battle ahead.
“We anticipate their response to our petition next week. Our legal team is fully prepared, and we are determined to stand our ground as we pursue justice and aim to reclaim our stolen mandate,” Ighodalo said.
As the legal dispute intensifies, the PDP has vowed to mount a robust challenge to overturn the election results and reclaim control of Edo State.