Centre for Good Governance and Public Safety has faulted outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki over the request for approval of a supplementary budget ahead of the end of his second term tenure in a fortnight.

Led by Mr. Solomon Igiehon, the group in a statement described the supplementary budgets as fraudulent and abuse of power in a conspiracy between the legislature and executive arms of government.

The group argued that the increasing trend of public officers, including security agencies looting government properties when one government is transiting to another, has become a great concern to the nation’s democracy.

The group insist that the approval of the supplementary budget is not in the best interest of the people of the state.

The group position came against the backdrop of the decision by the Edo state House of Assembly to turn down the request by Obaseki for the approval of the supplementary budget.

The Edo State House of Assembly headed by the Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku has approved three supplementary budgets since January 2024, with the third amounting to N450 billion on the eve of the September 21st governorship election.

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The latest request, which was turned down on Monday, Obaseki noted, was for him to provide money for the incoming Governor, Monday Okpebholo, to use in settling down to the business of governance.

However, the group noted that it is unfortunate that public servants and politicians have continuously been looting government property in Edo State, allegedly under the watch of Obaseki, who has consistently claimed that he is the Governor of the state until 12 November, when he hands over power to the Governor-Elect, Senator Okpebholo.

Giving details of the pilfering of property in Edo state, Igiehon narrated how some political elements went to a street in New Benin and uprooted solar street light poles and solar panels installed by Obaseki’s administration.

In another development, the group alleged that some government agents were also recorded removing a brand new 500KVA generator from the premises of the Edo State Geographical Information Service along Sapele Road, Benin.

The group also claimed that a lady had been caught removing new television sets, fridges, and a brand new Hilux from the premises of the Nigerian Observer newspaper at the Victor Uwaifoh Hub.

The group called on the people to volunteer more information on those who have looted government properties to serve as a deterrent to others.