Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 21st September governorship election in Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has called on Governor Godwin Obaseki to explain the whereabouts of the N5 billion approved by the Federal Government as palliatives to cushion the hardship of civil servants in the State.
In an interview granted by Senator Okpebholo to a radio station and monitored, he said the announcement by Obaseki is a deliberate plot to distract Edo people from real issues.
In a statement released by the media office of the APC candidate, Okpebholo revealed that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had in 2023, approved N5 billion for each State and the FCT to enable them procure food items for distribution to the poor in their respective States and pay civil servants certain amount for six months.
Okpebholo, who described Obaseki’s recent increment as a Greek gift, said rather than spend the N5 billion on what it was earmarked for, the governor has kept it aside to prosecute the governorship election in September.
He said: “Governor Obaseki is actually owing Edo civil servants arrears of six months. Like other States, Edo got N5 billion from the Federal Government to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal. In FCT, civil servants were paid additional N35,000 for six months.
“Other States did the same thing and distributed palliatives to them. In Edo State, Governor Obaseki has been mute. No civil servant got any extra money like their counterparts in other States. Let us begin the conversation from there.
“Obaseki should explain to Edo civil servants and Edo people what he did with the N5 billion. No body in Edo State has gotten any palliatives or cash transfers from Edo State Government. What has Obaseki spent the money on?
“We know that the State Government is keeping billions of naira to buy votes and prosecute the governorship election, where he intends to impose his political stooge on Edo people. Unfortunately for him, the people are wiser, especially the civil servants in the State.
“Civil servants deserve a better deal from the State Government and not a Greek gift to blackmail them to vote for a party that has failed the people of Edo State. There are no good schools, hospitals, roads or housing for civil servants. These are the real issues.
“Obaseki has failed by every standard and I am sure Edo people, especially the civil know this. As governor, my administration will behave differently. Beyond the minimum wage, we will look at other priority areas for civil servants like quality healthcare, housing and proper transportation.
“I call on Edo people not to be disturbed. Help is on the way. Our administration will right the many wrongs of the PDP administration and ensure that Edo State is governed with a human face. We deserve more and my administration will provide that.”