Edo State Governor, Monday Okphebolo, has revealed that the federal government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu allocated more than N8 billion monthly to the 18 Local Government Councils in Edo State during December 2024 alone.
Citing records from the State Accountant-General’s office, Governor Okphebolo noted that the Councils received over N6.5 billion monthly between January and September 2024.
The figure rose to over N8 billion monthly from October to December, amounting to a cumulative total of more than N83 billion for the year.
All 18 local government councils in Edo State are led by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Governor shared this information during a courtesy visit to his office in Benin City by the Acting Chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government, Hon. Alabi Bliss Oshionogue, accompanied by Councillors and party leaders.
Governor Okphebolo commended President Tinubu for his commitment to grassroots development but expressed concern over the alleged mismanagement of funds by some elected officials.
“Before Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, Edo State was receiving N3.5 billion monthly as Local Government allocation,” Governor Okphebolo explained. “Today, Local Governments in Edo State are receiving over N8 billion monthly. This is not State allocation.”
He further praised the President’s commitment to grassroots development, stating: “President Tinubu is working hard to ensure that development reaches the grassroots. Since the presidencies of Olusegun Obasanjo to Muhammadu Buhari, none had the boldness to remove the fuel subsidy, but Tinubu came and did it. The people are enjoying the dividends of what he has accomplished.”
Expressing his frustration with the suspended Local Government Chairmen, Governor Okphebolo said: “The Chairmen have been in office for the past year and they have nothing to show for it while other States are utilizing their resources well for the people. These Chairmen had the boldness to remove N800 million monthly from Local Government accounts while our schools suffered without good classrooms, teachers, and other infrastructure.”
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He emphasised his administration’s commitment to change, adding: “We are here to correct the wrongs as Edo State must move forward, and no individual will hold us back. My administration is set and ready to cooperate with you, provided you work in line with Mr. President’s plan for Local Government Councils by ensuring development reaches the grassroots. We will invest significantly in agriculture. We will visit you to ensure we collaborate and make things work.”
Acting Chairman Hon. Alabi Bliss Oshionogue expressed his gratitude for the Governor’s dedication to grassroots development and governance. “We have agreed to work with the Okpebholo administration because governance is now moving to the grassroots. We will work with you to ensure you succeed and the State develops,” he said.
Other leaders from Akoko-Edo, including former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kabiru Ajoto, and Akoko-Edo APC Chairman, Hon. Monday Ose, commended the Governor’s developmental efforts, particularly the ongoing construction of the Auchi-Ibilo road and the appointment of one of their own as Chairman of the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS).
They also appealed for more developmental projects in the area.