- The statement also dismiss as untrue some reports in a section of the social media that the state government had shut down the platform.
The Edo state government has revealed that Governor Godwin Obaseki’s e-governance platform is controlled by unidentified external agents or self-proclaimed experts.
The state government said the platform is currently being operated by unknown entities or so-called consultants.
Governor Monday Okpebholo has ordered an urgent review of the platform
This decision was made public through a statement issued by Musa Umar Ikhilor, Secretary to the State Government, on November 25, 2024.
According to Ikhilor, no one within the Edo State Public Service has administrative control over the platform. This lack of control poses a significant data security threat, as the state’s governance structure is at the mercy of external agents.
“The attention of the Edo State Government has been drawn to a report making the rounds that the Senator Monday Okpebholo-led administration has shut down the e-governance platform initiated by the previous administration. Nothing could be further from the truth.
“It has however been observed that the entire e-governance platform of Edo State Government is being run and operated from the backend by unknown non-state actors, and no one within the entire Public Service of Edo State has administrative control of the platform.
“This is considered a serious data security threat, as it has placed the entire governance structure of the state at the mercy of non-state actors or so-called consultants. This, therefore, calls for an urgent need to review the process.
“In the light of the foregoing and in order to remedy this clear and present danger, the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has ordered the immediate review of the entire e-governance platform with a view to enabling the Edo State government to gain total administrative control of the platform and restoring institutional memory of government, which the current platform lacks.
“While the review is ongoing, all officials and staff of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies are to continue to work on the e-governance platform pending the outcome of the ongoing review.”
Ikhilor’s statement also aimed to dispel rumors circulating on social media that the state government had shut down the platform.