With less than two weeks until the official handover of power in Edo State, petitions regarding the state government’s stakes in major projects such as the Ossiomo Power Plant, Edo Modular Refinery, and Radisson Blu Hotels have stirred tension within the Edo Transition Committee.
Sources indicate that members of the committee from both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) convened to address the ownership and financial commitments of these projects. The PDP faction promised to consult Governor Godwin Obaseki for clarity, though the issue remains unresolved.
The APC contingent sought documentation on the state’s investment in these multi-billion-naira projects, but government officials reportedly appeared uncertain about Edo’s ownership in the ventures.
A formal petition, signed by Comrade Samuel Osawaru and submitted to the Transition Committee and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), raised concerns regarding the state’s financial involvement. The Edo Integrity Group, behind this petition, questioned the financial arrangements involving Quadrant Consolidated Systems Engineering Limited—allegedly linked to Uwagboe and Mark Igiehon—and its role in handling revenue from the Ossiomo Power Project. The group also named CCETC, a Chinese technical partner, as a key stakeholder in Ossiomo’s ownership structure.
The group alleged that government agencies in Edo have been subject to estimated billing from the power plant, which shifted to metered billing only after the PDP’s recent election loss. Citing its anti-corruption mission, the group urged the EFCC and the Transition Committee to thoroughly investigate the plant’s recent operations.
Separately, an anonymous letter sent to security agencies urged them to question Governor Obaseki about the Edo Modular Refinery and Radisson Blu Hotels, alleging that both projects, though funded with taxpayer money, were converted to private ownership. The letter claims these assets are omitted from the state’s handover records.
The petitioners, identifying as Edo government employees and PDP committee members, expressed frustration at being sidelined, noting that Governor Obaseki’s directives have primarily been issued by phone. Emphasizing loyalty to the state over any individual, they called for a full investigation.
Additionally, Radisson Blu, which partners primarily in major cities globally, reportedly raised concerns over potential reputational risks and has issued letters to Governor Obaseki, signaling their intent to withdraw from the franchise arrangement if transparency issues persist.
Recently, Edo’s Deputy Governor, Philip Shuaibu, inspected the Radisson Blu project site, reinforcing assumptions that the state funded the venture. Questions now arise as to why this investment was not listed among the state’s assets in the transition notes prepared for the incoming administration.
