The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Tuesday accused the two-week-old administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo of lack of transparency and accountability in the running of the affairs of the state.
The party’s Caretaker Committee also expressed concern over what it described as very troubling and disturbing developments in the state under the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
The Edo PDP warned that the way the Okpebholo administration was going would spell doom for democracy and the state unless the issues were appropriately addressed.
But the new administration of Governor Okpebholo which took off on November 12, 2024, while responding to the accusations, counselled the PDP to brace up for the tough role of opposition it had assumed and approached it with equanimity.
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Speaking at a press conference at the PDP secretariat in Benin, Chairman of PDP Caretaker Committee, Dr Tony Aziegbemi, accused Governor Okpebholo of running a government that “is not interested in accountability and transparency but promoting anarchy to distort efforts at reclaiming the mandate duly given to the PDP and its candidate Asue Ighodalo at the September 21 gubernatorial election.
Aziegbemi said Governor Okpebholo, through his actions and inactions, “is setting a dangerous tone for crisis and breach of public peace since assumption of office in just 14 days.
“It has become imperative to draw the attention of the public and other stakeholders to the very troubling and disturbing developments in Edo State under the All Progressives Congress-led administration, which, if not appropriately addressed, could spell doom for our democracy and serve as a recipe for anarchy and instability, thereby threatening the peace, progress and security of our dear etate.
“It is most unfortunate and disappointing that in just 14 days in office, the governor-select, Monday Okpebholo, through his actions and inactions, has succeeded in setting a dangerous tone for crisis and breach of public peace, and we are worried that this troubling precedent may just be an ignition for a conflagration that may well be avoided.” Aziegbemi bemoaned.
He alleged that in the previous week, the APC mobilised thugs to attack the PDP Secretariat on Airport Road, in Benin City, in desperation to intimidate and frustrate the party’s efforts at reclaiming the mandate duly given to the PDP and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, at the September 21 governorship election.
Aziegbemi added that in the same manner, political thugs working for the government as “government vehicle recovery agents” led by a chieftain of the APC in the State, “broke into the private residence of the immediate past governor of the state H.E. Godwin Obaseki in Gestapo style, assaulting and harassing security personnel at the premises.”
“This is most reprehensible and unacceptable, and we urge relevant security agencies to thoroughly investigate these barbaric attacks and ensure that the perpetrators of this lawless and dastardly acts are brought to book,” he demanded.
Aziegbemi, however, call on all Edo people, civil society organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to beam their attention on the Okpebholo administration so as to prevent a descent into avoidable, with dire consequences on the peace and security of the State.
Reacting to the allegations, Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor Okpebholo, said that “the factional chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State is yet to accept the clear reality that it has assumed the arduous role of an opposition party.”
Itua added that “Governor Okpebholo is in a hurry to develop the state.”
“Since his inauguration a fortnight ago, he has remained undaunted, living up to the people’s expectations.
“Barely one week in office, Governor Okpebholo addressed and solved what the Godwin Obaseki-led administration could not confront in eight years.
“He has banned activities of touts across various markets in Edo State, hired by the Obaseki-led administration”, Itua reiterated.
