Edo Governor Suspends Oil Adviser Over Unauthorized Fundraising, Orders Immediate Refund.

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has suspended his Special Adviser on Oil and Gas, Felix Osemwengie Isere, following allegations of unauthorised fundraising for a proposed oil and gas summit. The governor has also cancelled the summit and ordered that all funds collected from donors be refunded.

In a bold move aimed at upholding transparency and ethical conduct within government operations, Governor Monday Okpebholo has suspended Special Adviser Felix Osemwengie Isere for allegedly initiating an unauthorised fundraising campaign for an oil and gas summit scheduled to held in Benin City on August 7, 2025.

The announcement came via a formal statement from the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Umar Ikhilor, who expressed the governor’s disapproval of the adviser’s actions. Ikhilor stated that the state government was neither consulted nor granted approval for the fundraising activities, which have since raised undisclosed amounts from various individuals and corporate donors.

“As a result of this breach of protocol, the proposed summit is hereby cancelled. Mr. Isere is directed to immediately refund all monies collected from donors,” the statement read. “The public is strongly advised to desist from further transactions or engagements with the suspended adviser.”

The cancellation of the event and suspension of the adviser underscore the Okpebholo administration’s zero-tolerance policy for unauthorised financial dealings and its ongoing commitment to accountability in public service. The governor also reaffirmed that no state resources were committed to the proposed summit, and investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the breach.

The now-cancelled summit was initially promoted as a high-level engagement to attract investment and innovation in the oil and gas sector of Edo State. Sources indicate that invitations were circulated and sponsors approached under the guise of official state backing. However, it has since been clarified that the initiative lacked formal approval from the state executive council.

This is not the first time the Edo State government has taken disciplinary action against public officials under Governor Okpebholo. Since assuming office, he has emphasised ethics, transparency, and reform in public office a stance that continues to define his governance.

“Government business must be guided by transparency, discipline, and public trust. Any deviation will be met with swift consequences,” said SSG Umar Ikhilor, speaking on behalf of the governor.