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PDP accuses Oshiomhole of huge last minute spending

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PDP accuses Oshiomhole of huge last minute spending

The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused outgoing Governor Adams Oshiomhole of plotting to spend about N5 billion few days to his exit from office.

 

The party alleged that Oshiomhole, who steps down as governor on Saturday, was set to send the sum as supplementary budget to the state House of Assembly.

 

The PDP stated that the state governor was using his last days to approve payments of sums amounting to about N350 million to Messrs Hani Associates limited as “payment of outstanding consultancy fee claims on sundry projects”.

 

“The application for this release warrant for payment was raised on 20th of October 2016. The director, finance & accounts, C N Omoruyi (Mrs) of the State Ministry of Education, signed the warrant.

 

Chief Orbih displayed vouchers he said were obtained from the governor’s office, saying “vouchers are available, even the one showing the governor’s approval of N347million for the preparation for the bill of quantity for ten sundry schools, whatever that means.”

 

The party at a media briefing in Benin on Sunday and addressed by its chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, also dropped the hint that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured the party of unhindered access to inspect voting materials used in the conduct of the September 28 Edo State governorship election as directed by the election tribunal.

 

In the said letter, INEC reportedly denounced the situation whereby a party’s action or inaction would be used to tarnish its image. “INEC concluded that whether APC is present or not, the order from the tribunal was clear and it was prepared to obey it”, he stated.

 

With President Muhammadu Buhari in Edo State for an official visit, the party said, “We plead with Mr. President to kindly take a walk across the road after he may have commissioned the Edo University in Iyamho to take a tour of Governor Oshiomhole’s Country Home which is just across the road.”

 

He said, “We have observed with displeasure the despicable financial actions of the governor. They range from the approval of highly inflated contracts without following procedure of payments and proposed presentation of a supplementary budget of N5billion that he wants to spend in less than eight days he has in office as governor.

 

Read also: What Oba of Benin wants from Buhari

 

“It is shocking that a governor, who will soon leave office is asking for such a huge amount of money. This is not the time to plunge Edo to more indebtedness.”

 

On the suspension of the Onojie of Uromi, Orbih, who is the Esama of Uromi, Orbih said, “Let me join Edo people to condemn the purported suspension of the Onogie of Uromi on his alleged support for the PDP’s candidate in the just concluded election. The action of the governor is provocative, vindictive and spiteful.

 

“The action is aimed at provoking peace-loving Uromi people. Ascension to the throne of Onogie of Uromi is by primogeniture and Oshiomhole cannot suspend the Onogie.

 

“We will continue to respect the Onogie as the rightful traditional ruler. The only thing he (Oshiomhole) can do is to deny him of his stipend.”

 

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