FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Edo State Joint Transition Committee yesterday accused members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Transition Committee of raising false alarm that the Godwin Obaseki-led Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, government had not provided it with the necessary documents to function.
The government added that the APC Transition Committee led by Dr Pius Odubu had not shown readiness to ensure a smooth and peaceful transition, following their blatant refusal to attend committee meetings.
Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, who disclosed this to newsmen shortly after yesterday’s session, said the joint committee provided documentation in digital form, but the APC committee members insisted on hardcopy, which it also provided.
He accused the APC Transition Committee of thwarting the process for smooth transition of power.
“The Edo State Government Transition Committee members will continue to come for meetings until October 30 to provide information that the APC transition committee requires or wants as long as it is within its,” Nehikhare said.
He noted that boycotting meetings was not a problem but demanding hardcopy documents meant for only the Governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo and the governor was impossible.
He accused the APC Transition Committee of wanting to play the role of the governor-elect by making demands for documents that were not within its mandate.
According to Nehikhare, the APC transition committee had from the onset of its inauguration shown disdain to work with the state government.
He stated that several absence from meetings with the state government is a clear confirmation that they are not ready for a smooth transition of power to the incoming government.