BENIN CITY — The National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for the Edo State House of Assembly, Esan Central Constituency, Saintmoses Eromosele (SME), has questioned the cost, composition and outcomes of the Edo State Government’s recent investment engagement in London, calling on the administration to disclose the full expenditure and tangible benefits of the trip.
In a statement titled “Edo Shone in London—But at What Cost?”, Eromosele said he had no objection to Governor Monday Okpebholo’s decision to engage Edo indigenes in the diaspora, but argued that what should have been a focused investment mission appeared to have evolved into what he described as an “oversized political excursion.”
According to him, the delegation reportedly included Governor Okpebholo, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Speaker Blessing Agbebaku, Deputy Speaker Osamwonyi Atu, Majority Leader Jonathan Ibhamawu, Chief Whip Hussein Lecky, Hon. Maria Edeko, Secretary to the State Government Umar Musa Ikhilor, Chief of Staff Yakubu Oshiorenua Musa, APC Chairman Jarrett Tenebe, Deputy Chairman Sylvester Aigboboh, State Secretary Lawrence Okah, Tony Adun (Kabaka), Lucky Eseigbe, Kassim Afegbua, Jerry Uwangue, Dr. Paddy Iyamu and several political associates, security personnel, protocol officers and media aides.
Eromosele argued that an investment mission should ordinarily comprise the governor, relevant commissioners, technical experts and a lean support team, rather than what he described as a large political delegation.
He also raised concerns over the absence of the Deputy Governor from the trip, noting that while other political office holders attended with their deputies, the Deputy Governor’s exclusion had generated questions about his role within the administration.
The NDC candidate estimated that the trip could have cost close to ₦1 billion, based on an exchange rate of $1 to ₦1,400. He said a delegation of about 100 people, factoring in flights, accommodation, feeding, transportation, security, protocol, visas and allowances, could have cost approximately ₦750 million, while venue hire, branding, media production, catering and event management may have added another ₦250 million.
He acknowledged that the figures were estimates but urged the Edo State Government to publish the official delegation list, invoices, funding sources and total expenditure to establish the actual cost.
Beyond the financial implications, Eromosele questioned the outcomes of the London engagement, asking how many investment agreements were signed, the volume of capital committed, the number of businesses expected to establish operations in Edo State and the projected jobs to be created.
He maintained that investment missions should ultimately be assessed by measurable outcomes such as capital inflows, technology transfer, business establishment and employment generation rather than public appearances and ceremonial activities.
Eromosele further expressed concern over reports that the London engagement included mobilisation activities in support of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, arguing that public resources should not be used for partisan political purposes without clear separation and disclosure.
He contended that resources allegedly expended on the trip could have been directed towards repairing deteriorating roads and restoring streetlights in parts of Benin City’s Government Reservation Area (GRA), as well as establishing small-scale agro-processing facilities across Edo Central, Edo South and Edo North to stimulate local production and employment.
The NDC candidate also proposed the establishment of an Edo Diaspora Investment and Property Protection Gateway to facilitate secure investment, verify land titles, prevent fraud and connect diaspora investors with credible businesses in the state.
Eromosele said that if elected into the Edo State House of Assembly, he would sponsor an Investment Missions Accountability Bill requiring every publicly funded foreign trip to be supported by a written business case, an approved budget, a limited delegation, identified investment targets and a public report detailing outcomes within 30 days of the mission.
He also pledged to advocate for the publication of government-funded foreign mission expenditures, maintain a public register of investment agreements and ensure a clear separation between government and party spending.
According to him, demanding transparency and measurable results from public officials is part of the constitutional oversight responsibility of the legislature.
He concluded by insisting that until the Edo State Government publishes the actual cost and investment outcomes of the London engagement, citizens are justified in asking what tangible benefits the trip delivered for the state.
