Barely two weeks to his handover of power to the Governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has reportedly written to the State House of Assembly, requesting a supplementary budget.
The Governor in the request for approval of the supplementary budget, which was submitted to the State House of Assembly on Monday, 28th October 2024, stated that he intends to leave money for the incoming Governor to spend while settling down to work.
But in a surprising turn of events, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Honourable Blessing Agbebaku reportedly turned down Governor Obaseki’s request.
It would be recalled that shortly before the gubernatorial election of 21st September, the House of Assembly had given express approval to a N450 billion supplementary request of the Governor despite criticisms by members of the public.
It was learnt that Governor Obaseki had before now, presented three supplementary budgets to the House of Assembly, which were all promptly approved either in Government House at wee hours and mostly without the knowledge of other members
The Governor is said to have spent a total of N1.5 trillion naira to run his government in the last eight years.
When contacted to confirm the development, the State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, would neither respond to calls nor WhatsApp messages sent to his mobile phone.
