The governor said the amendments became necessary to ensure that public funds were properly managed and that the people of Edo State were not shortchanged.
By Frank Ulom
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Published on September 2, 2026
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4 min read
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has said the recent amendment of the state’s Financial Autonomy Law and Judicial Autonomy Law was aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and due process in the management of public funds.
Okpebholo stated this on Monday when he received traditional rulers from Esan South East Local Government Area at the Government House, Benin City.
The delegation was led by the Onojie of Ubiaja, His Royal Highness Curtis Iredia Eidinojie I.
The governor said the amendments became necessary to ensure that public funds were properly managed and that the people of Edo State were not shortchanged.
He alleged that despite funds being allocated for constituency projects, no such projects had been executed since September 2025.
Okpebholo maintained that under the principle of separation of powers, the Edo State House of Assembly was responsible for appropriating funds and should not directly undertake functions reserved for the Executive arm of government.
“We have three independent arms of government, and the House is to appropriate funds and not to carry out the functions of the executive by executing projects.
“Since last year, a lot of money was going there, but even the members were not seeing it. Since September last year, they have not carried out any constituency project, and money was going there.
“These are reasons why we cannot trust one individual with due process without checks and balances,” Okpebholo said.
Constituency Projects to Be Domiciled in MDAs
The governor explained that the amended laws would provide a framework for constituency projects to be domiciled in relevant ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs.
According to him, lawmakers would continue to appropriate funds for projects in their constituencies, while the appropriate government agencies would be responsible for implementation and supervision.
He said the arrangement would enable lawmakers to monitor projects through the relevant MDAs and ensure that they were executed according to approved specifications.
“Now, their constituency projects will be domiciled in various MDAs and, once they appropriate funds for projects, they are able to track them through the ministries and ensure the projects are done according to specification, not one person determining what should be done.
“These are the things we are trying to correct, and thank God the members understand it and are insisting that their money is for the people and must follow due process,” the governor said.
Okpebholo Seeks Traditional Rulers’ Support for Tinubu
Governor Okpebholo also urged traditional rulers to educate their subjects on the need to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He said reforms introduced by the Federal Government had increased the funds available to Edo State for the execution of development projects.
The governor told the traditional rulers that he had promised to deliver 2.5 million votes to President Tinubu and identified them as key stakeholders in mobilising support at the grassroots.
“You know I have promised Mr. President 2.5 million votes. The people I have in mind to help me deliver it are you, the traditional rulers.
“You are the ones who talk to the common man in your communities. You know everybody, and they listen to you. I want you to please take this message home and let the people know that the promise to Mr. President is for the benefit of the state.
“The projects I am carrying out in our communities are because of Mr. President’s reforms, and we must ensure we sustain them through our votes,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Onojie of Ugboha, His Royal Highness Ukata Odigie, said the delegation visited the Government House to appreciate the governor for supporting one of their sons, Hon. Sunny Ojiezele, who is now the Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly.
Odigie also commended the governor for ongoing projects across Edo State, describing the redevelopment of Ramat Park as a bold reflection of the administration’s vision for the state.
The governor also received spouses of members of the Edo State House of Assembly, who visited the Government House to felicitate with him on his birthday.
