Babatunji Wusu –
- Nearly 500 Edo State government vehicles are still missing, far exceeding the original estimate of 200.
- The vehicles have been traced to the residences of top officials from the previous Obaseki administration.
- The current government, led by Okpebholo, inherited few resources from its predecessor.
- The probe into Obaseki’s administration is part of Okpebholo’s push for transparency and accountability in governance.
- Obaseki’s supporters have criticized the inquiry as a distraction from the new governor’s alleged incompetence.
Nearly 500 vehicles belonging to the Edo State government are currently unaccounted for, according to Fred Itua, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo.
A committee previously established by the state to recover vehicles and other assets had initially reported that around 200 vehicles were missing. However, after further investigation, Itua revealed that the actual number is much higher. The committee, led by Kelly Okungbowa, has so far recovered about 10 vehicles. Itua stated, “The committee chairman informed me that the initial estimate of 200 was understated, and nearly 500 vehicles are still missing. As of yesterday, 21 of those vehicles were traced to the residence of a top official from the last administration.”
Some of the missing vehicles were traced to a former official of the previous government led by Godwin Obaseki, while others were found at the homes of former top appointees of Obaseki’s administration. The committee plans to take legal action to recover these assets, which are reportedly being held privately.
Itua also noted that some officials of the current Okpebholo administration do not have vehicles, suggesting that the new government inherited little from its predecessor. The ongoing probe is part of the Edo State government’s broader investigation into the Obaseki administration, which handed over power a few weeks ago.
This inquiry comes amid political tensions between the outgoing Governor Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the newly elected Governor Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Okpebholo defeated Obaseki’s candidate in the September 21 governorship election.
The Edo government has established the committee as part of its commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in governance. However, Obaseki’s media aide, Crusoe Osagie, has criticized the investigation, describing it as a diversionary tactic to cover up Okpebholo’s alleged lack of preparedness for office. Osagie suggested that Okpebholo should focus on governance rather than engaging in what he called “meaningless probes.”
