The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Kassim Afegbua, described the allegation as false and politically motivated, maintaining that the Governor did not deploy public funds to finance the majority of the delegation.
Afegbua’s reaction followed criticisms by the Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which described the trip as wasteful and questioned its economic value.
Responding to the allegations, the commissioner said those claiming the trip gulped N2 billion were merely peddling falsehood.
“More than 90 per cent of those who travelled sponsored themselves to the UK. Maybe those who are saying the trip cost N2 billion saw it in their dreams,” Afegbua said.
He added, “They should know that Governor Monday Okpebholo does not waste money on things like this. He told people who wanted to go that they were free to do so, but they should not rely on government funding.”
According to him, the London engagement, organised by the London Professional Training Centre, was designed to strengthen ties between the Edo State Government and citizens in the diaspora by updating them on developments in the state.
“The visit is to interact with Edo people in the diaspora, to bring them up to speed with what is happening back home. The whole idea is for sensitisation,” he stated.
Afegbua noted that Edo indigenes abroad contribute significantly to the state’s economy through remittances and should be kept informed about government programmes.
“Do not forget that national elections are coming and many of those in the diaspora make remittances back home. If they know that the government is working, they will be able to tell their relations back home to support the APC,” he added.
Earlier, the National Coordinator of the Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP), Dr. Samson Isibor, described the trip as a wasteful exercise, alleging that the governor’s previous investment drive in Scotland did not attract the promised foreign investments.
Similarly, the spokesman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Christopher Ojeikere, questioned the outcome of the governor’s earlier overseas engagements, insisting that Edo people were yet to see the benefits of the reported investment commitments.
The state government, however, maintained that the allegations were baseless and reiterated that the London engagement was largely attended by self-sponsored participants and aimed at deepening engagement with Edo citizens living abroad.
