APC transition committee accuses Edo govt of lack of transparency
Governor Godwin Obaseki
Published By: Paul Dada
By Jethro Ibileke
Ahead of the 12 November handover date by Governor Godwin Obaseki to Senator Monday Okpebholo, the APC transition committee has charged the Edo state government team to be open and transparent enough to avail it all documents required to make the transition seamless.
The APC team in a statement Thursday night, signed by its secretary, Patrick Ikhariale, accused the outgoing administration of not presenting the necessary documents that will enable a smooth transition process, stating that it has hindered the work of the APC Transition Committee.
The statement noted that despite the very cordial atmosphere of mutuality and robust engagement at the inauguration of the committee on 18 October, 2024, it becomes necessary to “clarify some of the false claims and untruths put in the public domain by officials of the state government, overtly or covertly”.
The APC Transition Committee stated further:
“We wish to put on record that a status report is expected to cover all headings and sub-headings in the governance process especially the details of the financial commitments on the various projects, programmes and responsibilities of the government.
“The incoming government, the people of Edo State, and taxpayers deserve to know the status of affairs.
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“We have not constituted ourselves into a probe panel. Request for information and documents should not be seen as fishing for trouble or asking for too much as this in conformity with international best practices.
“We wish to state without any fear of contradiction that the Government Team seems to be evasive and trying strenuously to shift the focus from the essence of the transition.
“We are of the considered opinion that in line with the seamless Transition initiative, the government should be open and transparent enough to avail us the documents required to make our assignment easier without raising airs about our good intention.
“The idea of trying to blackmail the APC Transition Committee is in bad taste and most unfortunate.”
The APC Transition Committee however reiterated that despite the setbacks and deliberate slow response from the government’s team, it would not bow to blackmail, insults, ridicule, name-calling, and deliberate ploy to mislead the public.
“We wish to use this opportunity to call on all well-meaning members of the Public to disregard the tissues of lies and misinformation by the outgoing Government of Edo State,” it stated.
