Edo Not Against Investors, But Fraudsters Will Be Punished – Gov. Okpebholo

De-Patriot News Desk

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability amid the growing controversy surrounding the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) project. The governor insisted that while Edo State remains open to investors, his government will not hesitate to prosecute anyone found complicit in underhand dealings.

Governor Okpebholo stated this on Friday when he received the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, at the Government House in Benin City.

Speaking on the issues that have trailed the project, the governor expressed concern over what he described as deliberate attempts to sideline the current administration from key decisions relating to MOWAA. He said the state was neither informed nor carried along in several developments, including the recent arrival of foreign delegates for a planned commissioning ceremony.

“I didn’t want to speak on this again, but the time has come to lay the facts bare,” he said. “There are serious concerns around this project. At the end of the day, there will be criminal prosecution where necessary. We are not against investors, but we owe Edo people and Nigeria a duty to protect public interest. Anyone involved in shady dealings will face the law.”

Okpebholo disclosed that documents obtained by the state revealed major alterations to MOWAA’s registration details just six days before he was sworn in a development he described as suspicious and unsettling.

The governor also questioned the lack of communication surrounding the arrival of expatriates invited for a commissioning ceremony scheduled for a Sunday, noting that such actions further highlighted the opacity surrounding the project.

Responding, Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa praised Edo State for its historic leadership in Nigeria’s cultural development. She acknowledged that the federal government was aware of the issues surrounding MOWAA and called for a collaborative approach to resolving what she described as “an original sin” committed against traditional institutions.

She urged the governor to work closely with traditional authorities to rebuild trust, ensure historical justice, and restore Nigeria’s cultural credibility on the global stage.

“We want a solution that respects history and protects our traditional institutions,” she said. “The federal government is ready to listen and support all efforts to resolve these issues and bring lasting relief.”

The meeting was attended by top government functionaries, including the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku; Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilo, Esq.; Chief of Staff, Mallam Gani Audu; Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Roland Otaru, SAN; and Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua.

Governor Okpebholo assured that his administration would remain steadfast in defending Edo State’s integrity and would work with relevant stakeholders traditional institutions included to ensure a transparent and credible resolution to the MOWAA controversy and related matters.