EDO State Governor Monday Okpebholo, has ordered an immediate and indefinite suspension of all revenue collections across the state.
This directive, announced through a statement from the governor’s spokesperson, Fred Itua, on Wednesday, November 13, in Benin, emphasises strict enforcement.
Okpebholo, who was sworn-in barely 24 hours ago, also instructed the State Commissioner of Police to arrest anyone violating the order.
“The collection of revenues in the state has been suspended indefinitely. Anyone seen collecting revenues on behalf of the state government will be arrested.
“The Commissioner of Police is hereby ordered to arrest anyone who flouts the order and collects any kind of revenue on behalf of the state government,” the statement stated.
It further added that the governor would soon review the issues surrounding revenue collection and decide on the next steps
“The Governor will soon address the issues and the concerns raised and will issue new directives.”
Okpebholo, along with his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, took the oath of office administered by the chief justice of the state, Daniel Okungbowa, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
The event comes two months after the APC clinched victory, securing the governorship position at the Dennis Osadebay House.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Okpebholo, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the winner of the governorship election conducted in Edo State on Saturday, September 21.
Okpebholo polled 291,667 votes to defeat his closest rival and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), candidate, Asue Ighodalo, who won 247,274 votes.
The Labour Party (LP) candidate, Olumide Akpata, garnered 22,763 in the election to occupy a distant third position.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: umustapha@icirnigeria.com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M