The Edo State Government has raised concerns over the state’s e-governance platform, initiated by the previous administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki, revealing that it is managed by unidentified non-state actors or consultants.
Governor Monday Okpebholo highlighted the issue while directing an urgent review of the platform, according to a statement issued on November 25, 2024, by the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Umar Ikhilor.
Ikhilor stated that no member of the Edo State Public Service has administrative control over the platform, describing its operation by unknown parties as a significant data security risk. He emphasized that this situation has left the state’s governance structure vulnerable and necessitates immediate action.
The statement read:
“The attention of the Edo State Government has been drawn to reports suggesting that the Senator Monday Okpebholo-led administration has shut down the e-governance platform initiated by the previous administration. This is false.
“However, it has come to light that the platform is being controlled from the backend by unidentified non-state actors, and no one within the Public Service of Edo State has administrative access to it.
“This poses a serious data security threat, placing the governance framework at the mercy of external parties. Consequently, there is an urgent need to review the system.
“To address this pressing issue, Governor Monday Okpebholo has ordered an immediate review of the e-governance platform to restore full administrative control to the Edo State Government and ensure the preservation of institutional memory, which the current platform lacks.
“While this review is underway, officials and staff of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies are directed to continue using the platform pending the outcome of the review process.”
Ikhilor also clarified that reports on social media claiming the government had shut down the platform are entirely untrue.