Activist Aisha Yesufu Responds to Claims on Edo State Funding by President Tinubu
đź“° Key Events & Reactions
1. Governor Okpebholo’s Comments (July 18)
At an APC rally on July 18, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo claimed:
“Everything you are seeing that we are doing in Edo today, who is giving me money?… Asiwaju [Tinubu]”
He emphasized that state projects are funded by President Tinubu—not the state government’s own resources.
2. Aisha Yesufu’s Response
Edo-born activist Aisha Yesufu swiftly criticized him on X (formerly Twitter), calling his remarks “disappointing”. On July 21, she appeared on Channels TV’s Breakfast Show, where she rebuked the governor for:
- Threatening to withhold security if Peter Obi visits without clearance.
- Treating Edo as his “family estate”—a claim she firmly rejected.
3. Security Clearance & Obi Mention
This issue ties into a separate controversy: Okpebholo warned Peter Obi, the LP presidential hopeful, against visiting Edo without state security clearance. He claimed Obi’s unauthorized visit even resulted in unrest and fatalities.
Yesufu condemned this as a threat to Obi’s life, and asserted that Edo is not a personal fiefdom.
🔍 Analysis
- Fiscal Accountability – The governor’s public crediting of Tinubu for all state funding raises concerns about Edo’s financial autonomy and transparency.
- Security Overreach? – The security clearance demand and implied threats against Obi raise serious questions about democratic norms and the freedom of movement within Nigeria.
- Activist Challenge – Yesufu’s stance underscores broader frustration with perceived authoritarian missteps by Edo’s leadership, highlighting youth-led civic activism.
What’s Next?
- Will Okpebholo backtrack or clarify his statement on project financing?
- Will legal or political pressure build around the security clearance edict tied to Obi?
- Will tinubu’s role in funding Edo projects become a broader subject of national debate?
Let me know if you’d like direct quotes from Aisha or Tinubu, deeper insight on Edo’s budget, or analysis of the political implications at play.
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