Nigerians Express Delight Over EFCC’s, Okpebholo’s Searchlight on Financial Malfeasance In Edo LGs

By Andy Asemota

As local government chairmen in Edo State currently witnessing a shockwave, following the allegations of insubordination, financial malfeasance and corruption against them, have been summoned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the claims, a cross section of Nigerians has expressed delight.

Many respondents in Benin, the Edo State Capital, said they would have been surprised if the indicted local government chairmen were not invited by EFCC to “face the music,” going by the importance President Bola Tinubu administration attaches to a virile local government administration.

Investigations revealed that the EFCC called out the 18 councils chairmen through the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Umar Ikhilor, via it’s Benin Zonal Directorate in a letter dated 17th December, 2024, titled, “Investigation Activities: Letter of Invitation.”

“The commission is investigating a case in which the need to request for certain clarification from the 18 local government chairmen have become imperative.
“In view of above, you are requested to kindly inform and released the 18 local government chairmen to attend an interview with the undersigned,” the letter reads in part.

This is coming at a time when the embattled councils chairmen had been suspended by the Edo State House of Assembly, ahead of this week’s inauguration of a seven – man – panel of inquiry by the State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to probe the chairmen.

ABC NEWS gathered that amid petitions against high level corruption the local governments had been suffering, Governor Okpebholo had early this month, specifically on December 5th, stopped the chairmen from accessing and squandering about N800m monthly security and environmental funds without his directive.

Accordingly, many respondents, in recognizing that it was time the Edo State Government and indeed EFCC showed the Councils chairmen leadership role, have declared their support for the state and federal governments’ bid.

A clergy, Pastor Tunde Williams, urged the relevant institutions and organs of government to etch their names in gold by doing a thorough probe of the third tier government.

The cleric condemned the prevailing situation where most local governments could not perform any impactful role beyond payment of salaries and allowances.

“The new governor and EFCC have their credibility at stake, so, they have to ensure, in their probes, they do not postpone the D-Day of those found guilty,” Williams warned.

Similarly, Segun Enahoro, a public servant, noted: “The indications, under previous administration, are that local governments could squandered public funds with impunity.”

Enahoro also described as disheartening and frightening to hear the embattled chairmen in Edo State refused to honour Governor Okpebholo’s ultimatum to submit their financial records, urging him to take more decisive steps to curb the menace.

A private school mistress, Mrs. Elizabeth Iduwe, lauded the synergy between the executive and legislative arms of the state government in fighting the financial malfeasance and corruption in local government administration.

Mrs Iduwe also commended the vision and courage of Okpebholo to tame the high level corruption in the local councils with delay.

“If you’re paying astronomical fees and charges for education and other basic services that should have been jointly subsidized by governments, you will appreciate the importance of the fight against corruption in public offices,” she stated
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