Gov Okpebholo’s suspension of AG, LGSC chairman demonstrates zero-tolerance approach to corruption — APC

Four days after the suspension of Samson Osagie, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice and Damian Lawani, chairman of the Local Service Commission by the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, the State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has described the suspension of the duo as the governor’s zero-tolerance approach to corruption.

Governor Okpebholo had last Wednesday, February 5, 2025, suspended the duo for alleged grave financial infractions.

DAILY POST also recalled that the leadership of the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had in a statement opined that the suspension validated its concerns about the alleged reckless financial,mismanagement, maladministration and illegality under the leadership of Senator Monday Okpebholo.

Reacting to the PDP allegations, the State chapter of APC, while defending Governor Okpebholo noted that the action was in demonstration of the governor’s commitment to accountability and transparency, the qualities the party’s noted were absent in the PDP-led immediate past administration.

A statement by Prince Peter Uwadiae, the State Publicity Secretary of the party and made available to newsmen in Benin City on Saturday posited that Governor Okpebholo’s decision to suspend the officials aligns with global best practices.

“Governor Okpebholo has demonstrated a zero-tolerance approach to corruption, unlike his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, under whose administration no official was ever suspended for corruption-related offenses.

“We never at any time heard the immediate past Governor, Godwin Obaseki, suspended anyone suspected of corruption.

“But here we have a Governor who insisted that transparency, accountability, and justice must be the hallmark of his administration”, he said.

While noting that the allegations against the two suspended political appointees remain unproven, he, however, added that their suspension was necessary to ensure an impartial investigation.

“As of today, the Okpebholo-led administration has not given specifics on the alleged offenses committed by the duo. That remains the responsibility of the investigative panel. Until then, nobody can say for certain what the offenses are,” he added.

Uwadiae, also refuted the allegations by PDP that the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice and the chairman, Local Government Service Commission were suspended for alleged failure to deliver funds meant for the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to produce witnesses in court in the ongoing Governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja.

He stated that the allegation was purely imaginary, and that INEC operates on an annual fiscal budget, independent of any political party, including the ruling APC.

“The commission’s decision not to call witnesses in court is standard legal practice, as documentary evidence typically speaks for itself under the legal principle of “facts speak for themselves.”,

“If INEC had called witnesses, it would have been assisting the petitioners in proving their case, which goes against legal principles.

“Instead, the commission has presented its documentary evidence, and the court will decide based on that,” he added.

He, however, maintained that the burden of proof in election petitions lies with the petitioner, and not INEC.

The APC publicity secretary, reaffirmed the party’s commitment to good governance, transparency, and accountability under Governor Okpebholo.

He urged PDP to refrain from spreading misinformation and to allow due process to take its course in both the suspensions and the election tribunal proceedings.

He noted that Governor Okpebholo is on top of Edo State’s affairs in ensuring that governance is conducted within the rule of law.

Uwadiae said the administration remains focused on delivering a new lease of life to the people, adding that anyone who crosses the red line of accountability would face the appropriate consequences.