Edo State Governor: I Was Kept in the Dark About EU Delegation

By Ngozi Okeibunor.

In a revelation that deepens the controversy surrounding the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has declared that he was completely unaware of a foreign delegation’s visit to the state, accusing previous officials of a “gross lack of transparency.”

The Governor’s statement came on Monday as he received a high-powered delegation of European diplomats, including the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Gautier Mignot, and the German Ambassador, Dr. Annett Günther.

Addressing the situation later at the Palace of the Oba of Benin, Governor Okpebholo did not mince words. “They have spoken about areas of collaboration and also about what happened yesterday. Honestly, I wasn’t aware that such a gathering was going to take place; that’s the truth,” he stated, framing the incident as symptomatic of the opaque nature of the MOWAA project.

The Governor directly linked the communication failure to the handling of the MOWAA project by the immediate-past administration. He revealed that his government was never briefed on the project’s financials, ownership, or operational details and has since constituted a committee to conduct a comprehensive investigation.

“The controversy surrounding MOWAA stems from the lack of openness,” Governor Okpebholo asserted. “It is curious how the project evolved from the Benin Royal Museum to the Edo Museum of West African Art, and now to MOWAA, without clarity or proper consultation with our revered traditional institution.”

He emphasized that his administration inherited no documentation on MOWAA, leaving him in the dark about its transactions and agreements.

The Governor’s position was strongly supported by the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II. The Monarch drew a stark parallel, accusing former Governor Godwin Obaseki of attempting to “mortgage” the rights of the Benin people over their ancestral artifacts.

“It is like history wanting to repeat itself. My forefathers suffered during the British invasion of 1897, and it is not fair that this is happening again,” the Oba lamented, revealing that he refused to sign documents that would have alienated the community’s cultural heritage.

Governor Okpebholo also condemned the demolition of the historic Central Hospital to make way for the museum, questioning the logic of “destroying a functioning hospital to build a museum.”

In their response, the European diplomats sought to clarify their role and reaffirm their commitment. EU Ambassador Gautier Mignot explained that their mission was to pay homage to the Oba and strengthen cooperation, acknowledging “unfortunate incidents” and a need to move forward in a “spirit of dialogue.”

He clarified that the European Union as an institution has no direct investment in MOWAA, though some member states like Germany are partners.

German Ambassador Dr. Annett Günther commended the state’s hospitality and reiterated Germany’s partnership in areas including cultural preservation, noting the return of over 1,200 Benin Bronzes. She emphasized that MOWAA’s success hinges on a “peaceful and transparent environment.”

Concluding the day’s events, Governor Okpebholo assured that his administration would act with fairness. While welcoming foreign collaboration, he laid down a non-negotiable condition.

“Edo people are peace-loving and welcoming, but we will not condone secrecy or actions that undermine our culture and institutions,” he declared. “We are open to genuine collaboration, but it must be done in the light of transparency and respect for our traditional institutions.”