Edo State’s political landscape has become increasingly tense as the new administration, led by Governor Monday Okpebholo, issued a stern 72-hour ultimatum to former PDP gubernatorial candidate Asue Ighodalo and other party supporters to return government vehicles allegedly in their possession. The directive, announced by Kelly Okungbowa, Chairman of the Government Assets Recovery Committee, marks an escalating confrontation between the state’s new leadership and opposition figures.
The controversy has deepened with the shocking discovery of several vehicles formerly belonging to Edo Line, the state’s defunct transport company, at a spare parts market in Benin City. According to Okungbowa, twelve vehicles were found at the Uwelo Spare Parts market, with only half of them still in operational condition. This revelation has raised serious questions about the management and disposal of state assets under the previous administration.
Speaking to journalists, Okungbowa emphasized the significant financial implications of replacing these vehicles, noting that a single new Hilux now costs approximately N120 million. This financial burden on the state’s resources has become a central argument in the administration’s push for the return of these assets. The committee chairman stressed that these vehicles are state property, meant to serve the Edo people, not individuals.
The recovery initiative extends beyond just locating missing vehicles within the state. The committee has received information suggesting that some government vehicles have been transported to various cities across Nigeria, including Lagos, Abuja, and Abeokuta. This widespread dispersal of state assets has complicated the recovery efforts and added urgency to the administration’s demands.
Governor Okpebholo’s interest in revamping Edo Line, the state’s transport company, has brought additional attention to the matter. During his electoral campaign, he had pledged to revitalize the transport service, only to discover upon investigation that the company’s fleet had apparently been dismantled and sold off, leading to the current investigation.
The committee has taken a diplomatic approach initially, appealing to those involved to voluntarily return the vehicles before more stringent measures are implemented. However, Okungbowa’s statement that “while we are appealing, the government will also decide on its own” suggests potential legal action if the ultimatum is not met.
The situation has broader implications for governance and accountability in Edo State. The recovery committee’s establishment reflects a growing trend among new administrations to audit and recover state assets from previous office holders, often leading to political tensions and legal battles.
While the committee maintains that this is not a witch-hunt but rather a legitimate effort to recover state property, the political undertones are hard to ignore, particularly given the targeting of the opposition party’s recent gubernatorial candidate. The situation highlights the often blurred lines between state resources and political office holders’ privileges, a persistent challenge in Nigerian governance.
The ultimatum’s expiration will likely mark a critical moment in this developing situation. If the vehicles are not returned voluntarily, the state government’s next steps could have significant implications for political relationships and governance in Edo State. The outcome of this recovery effort may also set precedents for similar situations in other states facing comparable challenges with asset recovery from previous administrations.
