Accuses Obaseki of squandering ₦72 Billion in security votes over 8 years

Former Governor Godwin Obaseki has been told to keep his unsolicited security advice to himself, as Governor Monday Okpebholo has no need for guidance from a man who mismanaged Edo’s security and diverted billions meant for protecting lives and property.

This comes after the Chairman of the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caretaker Committee, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, inadvertently revealed the staggering amount Obaseki pocketed and squandered as a monthly security vote – ₦750 million – totaling ₦72 billion over eight years.

In a statement urging Governor Okpebholo to put the monthly ₦750 million security vote to good use, Aziegbemi unwittingly confirmed what Edo people have always suspected – that Obaseki looted billions meant for security and left the state in chaos.

Reacting to the PDP’s statement, former Press Secretary to the ex-governor, Mr. John Mayaki, slammed the party for exposing Obaseki’s financial recklessness while still expecting Okpebholo to seek guidance from him.

Mayaki said, “The PDP first exposed Obaseki’s ₦750 million monthly security vote misuse, yet they now shamelessly want Okpebholo to seek advice from the same man. This contradiction exposes their lack of credibility, dishonesty, and desperation.

“Under Obaseki, Edo state witnessed some of the worst security failures in its history – the Okomu massacre in 2022, the Ehor killings in 2023, the Benin-Lagos road kidnappings, and the infamous cult wars in Benin City. These incidents prove Edo was never ‘one of the safest states’ under Obaseki.

“The truth is simple: PDP was never interested in securing Edo. They are just bitter about losing power and are now trying to rewrite history to remain relevant.”

Mayaki further ridiculed the PDP’s hypocrisy, stating, “It is both laughable and pathetic that the Edo PDP, in its usual display of dishonesty, is now attempting to defend the indefensible failure of Godwin Obaseki, while shamelessly shifting blame for the rising insecurity in the state.

“Rather than admitting that Obaseki pocketed a staggering ₦750 million monthly in security votes – amounting to ₦72 billion over eight years, with no tangible impact on the state’s security architecture – the PDP is busy misleading the public. What did Obaseki do with this colossal sum besides purchasing a few refurbished Sienna vehicles for security agencies?

“Edo people know the truth. Under Obaseki, insecurity festered. Kidnappings became rampant, cult violence exploded, and armed robbery surged. He neglected local security structures, defunded key institutions, and left communities at the mercy of criminals. Yet today, the same PDP that oversaw this disaster wants to lecture Governor Okpebholo, who in just a few months has done more for security than Obaseki did in eight years.”

Mayaki also praised Okpebholo’s commitment to securing Edo, contrasting it with Obaseki’s legacy of neglect and deception. He said, “Governor Okpebholo has taken decisive steps to restore security”.

Specifically, Mayaki said, Okpebholo deployed over 70 brand-new Hilux vehicles to security agencies, strengthening local security networks that Obaseki abandoned, working closely with federal security agencies to combat rising threats.

“Unlike Obaseki, who used security votes for personal enrichment, Okpebholo is actually investing in security. The PDP’s call for him to seek advice from Obaseki is beyond absurd. What exactly should he learn – how to divert security funds, how to neglect security networks, or how to deceive the people while insecurity worsens? Edo people do not need lectures from failures.”

Mayaki further challenged the PDP to explain how Obaseki spent ₦72 billion in security votes over eight years. He said, “Instead of issuing baseless and misleading statements, the PDP should apologize to Edo people for eight years of deceit, incompetence, and corruption. Governor Okpebholo does not need advice from a man who squandered security funds and left the state in ruins.

“I challenge the PDP to tell Edo people where the ₦72 billion security vote went. If the PDP truly cares about Edo, let them demand an audit of Obaseki’s security spending instead of blindly defending him.”