According to credible sources within the Government House and the Ministry of Finance, these alleged actions are part of a frantic effort by the outgoing administration to delete sensitive documents and obscure evidence of purported financial irregularities.
Historically, Edo State has prided itself on reliably paying salaries on the 24th of each month.
However, insiders report that this schedule has been compromised since the government announced a new ₦70,000 minimum wage in June.
Since then, government officials have struggled to maintain timely payments, fueling anxiety among state workers about when their October salaries will be disbursed.
This uncertainty comes three days after the usual payment date, leaving many employees worried and in the dark.
Sources suggest that e-gov system issues, which are critical to the daily operations of the state’s administrative functions, have hampered the generation of payrolls and salary vouchers, disrupting the payment flow.
This disruption, many say, reflects an unprepared system for the increased wage obligations, which were introduced months before the recent September gubernatorial elections—a decision many speculate was politically motivated.
Observers have raised concerns about the timing of these e-gov issues, which they view as more than mere technical malfunctions.
They allege that the outgoing administration, led by Governor Godwin Obaseki, is deliberately sabotaging the system to manipulate or erase sensitive documents, thereby complicating the transition for the incoming government.
“Something is fishy and not right,” stated Dan Igbinigie, a prominent observer of State affairs.
“Delays in salary payments seem to coincide with the announcement of the ₦70,000 minimum wage. The once-reliable 24th salary payment is now in doubt, and the information we’re receiving about October salaries suggests the e-gov is either down or malfunctioning.”
The crisis raises pressing questions: Does the government have the capacity to sustain the minimum wage increase? If not, was the policy hurriedly introduced for political gain without sufficient planning?
Is the alleged e-gov manipulation an attempt to obscure State’s records on its digital platform? Igbinigie has called for transparency, urging Governor Obaseki to address the crisis openly.
The Governor’s administration has already been embroiled in controversies following the loss of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the September elections.
Allegations have surfaced that critical documents required for a smooth transition are being withheld from the incoming administration.
The Edo State government has consistently emphasised its commitment to timely salary payments and ethical management of public funds. However, the current situation leaves more questions than answers, casting doubt on the transparency and integrity of its operational systems.
The State’s civil servants, who remain without salaries, are left anxiously awaiting clarity from their leaders as this administrative saga unfolds.
