Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has expressed shock over the visit of some European diplomats to the state for activities linked to the Museum of West African Art MOWAA, saying his administration was neither informed nor involved in the arrangements.

The governor made the disclosure when he received a delegation of European diplomats led by the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Gautier Mignot, and the German Ambassador, Dr. Annett Günther, at the Government House in Benin City.

Gov. Okpebholo who later accompanied the delegation on a courtesy visit to the Palace of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II described the entire scenerio as another sign of “the lack of transparency that had trailed the MOWAA project from its inception”.

According to the governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, “Honestly, I wasn’t aware that such a gathering was going to take place; that’s the truth. However, we have spoken with the Oba and gotten his side of the story,”.

The governor revealed that a committee had already been set up by his administration to investigate the entire MOWAA project and make recommendations on the way forward. “The committee will look into the project’s evolution, financials, ownership structure, and the concerns raised by the Benin Palace”.

Addressing the diplomats earlier in the day, Okpebholo faulted what he called the “gross lack of transparency” that characterised the project under the immediate-past administration.

He questioned how the initiative transformed from the Benin Royal Museum to the Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA) and eventually to MOWAA without consultation or clarity.

“The controversy surrounding MOWAA stems from the lack of openness by the previous government,” the governor said. “It is curious how the project evolved in name and structure without any input from our revered traditional institution. The previous administration never briefed me about MOWAA nor handed over any documentation concerning the project.”

He condemned the demolition of the historic Central Hospital in Benin City to make way for the museum, noting that while the state valued its cultural heritage, development must remain people-centred and responsible. “Why destroy a functioning hospital to build a museum?” he queried.

Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to accountability, Okpebholo said Edo would remain open to international partnerships, but insisted that transparency and respect for the Benin Kingdom were non-negotiable. “We welcome foreign collaborations, but everything must honour our traditions and be done openly,” he maintained.

In his remarks after the visit to the Oba’s palace, EU Ambassador Mignot said the mission of the delegation was to pay homage to the monarch and strengthen cooperation with Edo State. “We also discussed the MOWAA project and the unfortunate incidents that occurred. We exchanged views in a spirit of dialogue and partnership, which is how we intend to move forward,” he said.

He clarified that while the European Union as an institution had no direct investment in MOWAA, some member states, including Germany, were partners in the initiative.

German Ambassador Dr. Günther lauded the hospitality of both the governor and the Benin monarch, reaffirming Germany’s continued partnership with Edo in areas such as youth empowerment, migration management, and cultural preservation. She noted that over 1,200 Benin Bronzes had already been returned to Nigeria as part of ongoing cooperation on heritage restoration.

“This wonderful place for celebrating heritage can only flourish in a peaceful and transparent environment,” she said. “We regret the recent incidents but look forward to a stable future for MOWAA.”

At the palace, Oba Ewuare II expressed deep concern over how the project was handled, accusing former Governor Godwin Obaseki of attempting to “mortgage” the rights of the Benin people to their ancestral artifacts. “My forefathers suffered during the British invasion of 1897, and it is not fair that this is happening again,” the monarch lamented.

Governor Okpebholo, in response, assured that his administration would ensure justice, fairness, and transparency in resolving the controversy. “Edo belongs to us all; its culture, history, and heritage must be protected, not politicized,” he declared. “We are open to genuine collaboration, but it must be done in the light of transparency and respect for our traditional institutions.”