CRPP queries Gov Okpebholo’s UK trip, demands transparency on cost, benefits

By Jethro Ibileke

The Coalition of Registered Political Parties, CRPP, has questioned Governor Monday Okpebholo’s ongoing visit to the United Kingdom and demanded full transparency on the cost, delegation, and expected benefits to Edo State.

In a press statement signed by its National Chairman, Dr. Samson Isibor, and National Secretary, Hon. Nkama Waribe, the CRPP said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent admonition to governors on prudent management of public resources should serve as a reminder to administrations enjoying increased federal allocations and IGR.

“The President has spoken, he has vindicated us CRPP for objecting to the overhead fly over,” the coalition said.

The group said the advice is particularly relevant to Edo at a time when “thousands of residents continue to grapple with economic hardship, unemployment, poor infrastructure and declining purchasing power.”

According to CRPP, although the investment event the Governor is expected to attend has not yet taken place, “Edo people deserve to know the objectives of the mission, the anticipated outcomes and the measurable benefits expected to accrue to the state.”

The coalition argued that foreign investment missions “should not become ceremonial exercises financed with public funds” but should be driven by clearly defined economic goals, transparent deliverables, and verifiable outcomes.

CRPP further alleged that the composition of the delegation reflected poor planning. It claimed that individuals with “no apparent relevance to the investment mission” were included, while some commissioners overseeing key economic ministries were initially left behind.

The group alleged that the Governor reportedly contacted some of those commissioners “only after arriving in the United Kingdom,” asking them to urgently process their travel documents and join the delegation.

“If accurate, such circumstances would raise concerns about the level of coordination and strategic planning that preceded the trip,” the statement said.

The CRPP also recalled what it described as Governor Okpebholo’s investment mission to Glasgow, Scotland, last year, alleging that the trip ended in controversy after a widely publicised proposed $250 million investment failed to translate into tangible results for Edo State.

The organisation said the experience underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in government-sponsored foreign engagements.

The coalition called on the Edo State Government to publicly disclose the total cost of the current UK trip, the identities and official capacities of all members of the delegation, the source of funding, the specific investment opportunities being pursued and the expected timelines for delivering any agreements or commitments arising from the visit*

“Edo people deserve governance anchored on fiscal responsibility, transparency and measurable development outcomes rather than public expenditure that, in its view, lacks immediate value to the citizens,” CRPP stated.

The group urged the Governor to demonstrate that the visit will produce “concrete investments, jobs and economic opportunities capable of justifying the expenditure of public funds.”