Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has unveiled a startling financial scandal, accusing suspended local government chairmen of misappropriating N18 billion in federal allocations over a twelve-month period. The revelation comes amid increased federal funding to local governments under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The governor’s office, through Chief Press Secretary Fred Itua, disclosed that December 2024 alone saw over N8 billion in federal allocations distributed among the state’s 18 local government councils. This marks a significant increase from the previous monthly allocation of N3.5 billion before Tinubu’s administration, according to records from the State Accountant-General’s office.
Financial records indicate a progressive increase in council funding throughout 2024, with monthly allocations rising from N6.5 billion between January and September to over N8 billion in the final quarter. The total disbursement to the PDP-led councils reached an unprecedented N83 billion for the year.
Governor Okpebholo made these revelations during a meeting with Acting Chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, Alabi Bliss Oshionogue, alongside councillors and APC party leaders at his office in Benin City. The governor expressed deep concern over what he described as systematic financial mismanagement by local government officials.
The investigation into council spending has uncovered troubling patterns of financial misconduct. According to the governor, the suspended chairmen allegedly deducted N800 million monthly from local government accounts while basic infrastructure and educational needs went unaddressed. Schools reportedly suffered from inadequate classrooms, teacher shortages, and deteriorating infrastructure despite the substantial increase in available funds.
This financial impropriety becomes particularly glaring when considered against President Tinubu’s efforts to boost grassroots development through increased local government funding. The administration’s decision to more than double previous allocation levels was intended to enhance local development and improve service delivery at the community level.
The situation represents a significant betrayal of public trust, with the suspended council chairmen allegedly failing to translate the unprecedented financial resources into tangible benefits for their communities. Governor Okpebholo emphasized that despite having access to substantial funds for an entire year, the chairmen had “nothing to show for it.”
The scandal has broader implications for local governance and financial accountability in Nigeria’s federal system. It raises questions about the effectiveness of existing oversight mechanisms and the need for stronger controls on local government spending. The case also highlights the ongoing challenge of ensuring that increased federal allocations translate into meaningful development at the grassroots level.
Governor Okpebholo has positioned his administration as determined to address these systemic issues, promising to implement reforms that will ensure more efficient use of public funds. His statement that “no one will hold us back” suggests impending actions to strengthen financial accountability in local government administration.
The revelation comes at a crucial time when many Nigerian states are grappling with questions of financial transparency and effective governance at the local government level. The Edo case could serve as a catalyst for broader reforms in local government financial management across the country.
As investigations continue, the focus now turns to potential recovery of misappropriated funds and the implementation of stronger financial controls to prevent similar incidents in the future. The case also raises important questions about the relationship between state and local governments in Nigeria’s federal system and the mechanisms needed to ensure effective oversight of public resources.
