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A group of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members known as Concerned Edo PDP stakeholders has written a petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), against the incumbent Governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki over alleged diversion of funds.
The group wants the agency to investigate Governor Obaseki for allegedly awarding contracts to his firm, AfriInvest Ltd.
The petition, a copy of which was seen by MERIDIAN SPY, was signed by, Andrew Egboigbe, a PDP member in Ward 3, Orhionmwon Local Government, and submitted to the ICPC in the state on Monday.
According to the petition titled: ‘Petition against the unfairly advantageous awarding of Edo State Contracts to Afrinvest Ltd by Mr. Godwin Obaseki’, the concerned Edo PDP stakeholders alleged that the Governor abused his office to award inflated contracts to his company, AfriInvest Ltd, in flagrant disregard for the constitutional provision that guides the award of contract.
It was noted that Governor Obaseki, being the founder of Afrinvest, used his position to award contracts to his company in flagrant disregard for the constitutional provision that guides award of contract.
“We, as concerned Edo indigenes, who have no other place to call our home except Edo State, file this honest petition against Mr. Obaseki, the governor of the state and his firm, Afrinvest Ltd.
“This followed revelations from sources of unfair advantage the governor bestowed on the firm, using accumulated state funds meant for developmental works and projects.”
The petitioners alleged that although Obaseki stepped down as the chairman of AfriInvest’s Board of Directors in 2016 on assumption of office, he installed Mr. Ike Chioke, who served as his stooge at the firm.
But Crusoe Osagie, media aide to the governor, has denied the allegations, describing it as frivolous.
Osagie, however, accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of creating such a propaganda to tarnish the governor’s image.
He added that the plot to divert his boss’ attention will fail.
Governor Obaseki is seeking re-election in the PDP and who face Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the APC candidate in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
