Obaseki rejects Okpebholo’s claim of e-governance platform run by non-state actors

The former Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has criticised his successor, Monday Okpebholo, for shutting down the state’s e-governance platform.

Earlier reports revealed that Okpebholo had claimed the platform was being operated by unknown non-state actors from the backend, with no public service officials having administrative control.

In a statement released on Monday, the new governor ordered an immediate review of the platform but instructed officials from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to continue using it until the review was complete.

However, Obaseki, through his spokesperson, Crusoe Osagie, condemned Okpebholo’s actions as regressive and damaging to the state’s governance.
He described the shutdown as a sign of a disorganised government and an insult to Edo workers and citizens.

Obaseki clarified that the platform was managed by the Edo ICT Agency, a parastatal under the Edo State Ministry of Digital Economy, with support from expert consultants.
He expressed surprise and disappointment at the justification given by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Umar Musa Ikhilor, for shutting down the platform and reverting the state’s civil service operations back to paper files.

In his statement, Obaseki said, “This irrational decision is not only shameful and regressive but also an insult to the sensibilities of Edo workers and the people of the state. It further exposes the government’s cluelessness and lack of the depth and knowledge required for effective governance and administration in the 21st century.”
He further stated that the Edo ICT Agency had effectively managed the platform, ensuring digital and efficient government operations. However, Obaseki noted that the current administration’s dismissal of senior civil servants in the agency had hampered the platform’s effective operation.

He criticised the government’s actions, attributing the lack of preparedness to Okpebholo’s rise to power through what Obaseki described as a flawed electoral process.

Obaseki also refuted the claim that there was no institutional memory, explaining that all government data was stored in the state-owned Data Centre, commissioned during his administration.

He added, “For eight years, the immediate past governor, HE Godwin Obaseki, focused on nuanced policies and programmes to lay a solid foundation for the State, placing it on the path of progress and prosperity.

“We advise Okpebholo to follow this path if he doesn’t have a vision or plan for the state rather than erode the progress that has been made over these past few years with his illogical and poorly thought-out decisions and policies.”