Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has publicly indicted the Edo State House of Assembly, revealing that no constituency project has been executed in the state since September 2025 despite continuous funds being released by the executive.
Governor Okpebholo made the allegations on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, during a courtesy visit by traditional rulers from the Esan South East Local Government Area. The meeting took place at the Executive Council Chambers inside the Government House in Benin City, Edo State.
Addressing the delegation led by the Onojie of Ubiaja, His Royal Highness Curtis Iredia Eidinojie I, Governor Okpebholo stated that the lack of execution prompted his administration’s recent amendments to the Financial Autonomy Law of the Edo State House of Assembly and the Judicial Autonomy Law.
The governor noted that under the principle of separation of powers, the legislature is tasked with appropriating funds rather than attempting to perform executive functions by directly executing capital works.
”We have three independent arms of government, and the House is to appropriate funds and not to carry out the functions of the executive by executing projects,” Governor Okpebholo stated.
“Since last year, a lot of money was going there, but even the members were not seeing it. Since September last year, they have not carried out any constituency project, and money was going there. These are reasons why we cannot trust one individual with due process without checks and balances.”
Under the newly amended legislative framework, constituency funds will now be domiciled within relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
While lawmakers will continue to appropriate funds for local needs, the MDAs will assume full responsibility for project execution, implementation, and quality assurance in line with approved specifications.
Speaking on behalf of the visiting royal fathers, the spokesperson for the delegation and Onojie of Ugboha, His Royal Highness Ukata Odigie, expressed appreciation to the governor for his governance approach and infrastructure drive.
He praised key administration projects across the state, including the major redevelopment of Ramat Park, noting that local communities support transparent management of public funds to ensure development reaches grassroots populations.
