Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has claimed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has borrowed between N2 billion and N5 billion to finance the upcoming inauguration of the Governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, scheduled for November 12.
Obaseki expressed these concerns in Benin City during the inauguration of a caretaker committee for the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Speaking on the matter, Obaseki lamented that the APC had bypassed his administration in planning the event, noting that he was neither consulted nor invited to participate in the preparations.
“As the outgoing governor, they have not involved us in any way, and they have gone ahead to borrow billions to fund their own inauguration,” Obaseki remarked.
The governor revealed that his administration currently has nearly N27 billion earmarked for ongoing projects and obligations, yet, according to him, the APC is “already blowing through funds” with inauguration spending.
“They’ve gone to borrow for an inauguration which will cost between N2 and N5 billion—money that will be the first they take from the state treasury,” he stated.
Obaseki also criticized the APC for what he described as extravagant spending during the transition period. He claimed the incoming government would use the inauguration budget to “confuse the people” and alter public perceptions.
“They are going to spend heavily in this period just to mislead people,” he added, noting that it felt as though a “brand new government” was being established, with no acknowledgment of the outgoing administration.
Addressing PDP members, Obaseki promised to remain active within the party to support its efforts. “We will reclaim our stolen mandate for the sake of Nigeria, as this fight is not only for our candidate but for the entire nation’s democracy,” he assured.
In response, Prince Kassim Afegbua, a member of the APC transition committee, dismissed Obaseki’s claims, particularly about the inauguration funds.
He remarked, “Is it not the outgoing government’s role to plan the inauguration? Does it make sense for an incoming administration to organize its own inauguration?”
Afegbua questioned Obaseki’s approach, adding that APC was prepared to proceed despite the outgoing government’s lack of involvement.
