Obaseki Denies Leaving N600bn Debt for Edo State
Immediate past Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has refuted claims that his administration left behind a debt burden of N600 billion.
The former governor’s response followed allegations made by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, who accused the Obaseki administration of incurring massive debts and questioned the transparency surrounding legacy projects such as the Radisson Hotel and the Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA).
Speaking through his Media Adviser, Crusoe Osagie, Obaseki described the allegations as false and misleading, warning that such “irresponsible statements” from the current administration were damaging Nigeria’s image internationally.
He urged Governor Monday Okpebholo’s government to verify its claims with the Debt Management Office (DMO), stressing that no government—federal, state, or local—can incur loans or enter debt agreements without the DMO’s knowledge and approval.
“It is unfortunate that statements from the current Edo State government give the impression that the state is being run by people who do not understand how government works,” Obaseki said.
He maintained that all records concerning the Radisson Hotel project were properly documented and included in the official transition report. On the planned probe of the hotel, Obaseki emphasized that Radisson is an international brand that entered into a legitimate business agreement with the Edo State Government, with “all T’s crossed and I’s dotted.”
Regarding the MOWAA project, Obaseki clarified that it is an international initiative funded by the governments of Germany, the United Kingdom, and France. “You think such an investment would be situated on land not properly ceded by the state?” he asked rhetorically.
He warned that reckless allegations like these could harm the country’s global reputation. “Such misinformation makes the international community view Nigeria as a failed state,” he said.
Obaseki challenged Afegbua to produce evidence of the alleged N600 billion debt, saying, “If such a loan exists, it would be recorded in the DMO’s books. It gives the impression that the state is being governed by touts who have no understanding of governance.”
