Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has announced plans to probe the reported $10 million expenditure by his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, on the state-owned newspaper, The Nigerian Observer.
During an unscheduled visit to the premises of The Observer on Tuesday, Okpebholo, accompanied by top government officials, sought to inspect the facilities. However, he and his team were unable to access the buildings where the equipment allegedly purchased under the previous administration was supposed to be kept.
The Nigerian Observer, once a thriving media establishment, was shut down during Obaseki’s tenure under the pretext of a major revamp, with the goal of transforming it into a nationally competitive publication.
Expressing frustration over the lack of access, Governor Okpebholo vowed to return for a comprehensive inspection to ascertain whether the machines and equipment, supposedly procured with public funds, were indeed in place.
Speaking on the matter, Okpebholo stated:
“I visited The Observer Newspaper company to see firsthand the investments reportedly made by former Governor Godwin Obaseki to revamp the state-owned media house. He claimed to have spent $10 million on the project just before the elections, yet the facility was locked, and there was nothing inside. I couldn’t even find a cleaner, and those we met on-site were not actual employees of the organisation.”
He further stressed the need for transparency, adding:
“I must return for a proper inspection to verify whether the purchased equipment is actually inside. At this point, I cannot confirm if the machines exist because I was denied access to the premises. If the facility was truly operational, there should have been staff working there, especially given the substantial amount reportedly spent on it.”
Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his commitment to accountability, emphasizing that the people of Edo State deserve clarity on how public funds were utilized.
“Edo people have the right to know what happened to the money allocated for revamping The Observer Newspaper. As their governor, it is my responsibility to provide them with answers, and that is why this investigation is necessary,” he stated.
With the governor’s resolve to probe the matter, the investigation into the alleged mismanagement of public funds is expected to uncover the truth behind the $10 million expenditure.
