The Edo State Government has fired back at the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over its recent comments on governance and spending under Governor Monday Okpebholo, describing the opposition’s remarks as “baseless, ill-informed, and laughable.”
In a statement issued on Sunday, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, accused the PDP and its spokesperson, Chris Osa Nehikhare, of hypocrisy, saying the party had “years of misrule, monumental corruption, and gross incompetence” during its time in power.
“The same PDP that had every opportunity to transform Edo but instead plundered its resources, destroyed public trust, and mortgaged the future of our people now pretends to be the conscience of the state. Edo people are neither fooled nor interested,” Itua said.
He alleged that under PDP’s watch, the state’s schools, roads, and hospitals were left in disrepair, while investors fled due to poor governance.
Responding to accusations of wasteful spending on official travels, the state government defended Governor Okpebholo’s local and international trips, insisting they were targeted at attracting investment and building strategic partnerships.
“Every kobo spent on official engagements is strategically aimed at forging partnerships, attracting investments, and securing opportunities that will yield long-term benefits for Edo people,” the statement read.
Itua drew a sharp contrast between the current administration’s approach and what he described as “shopping expeditions and family vacations” by past PDP officials. He also accused Nehikhare of defending corruption and incompetence, calling him “the least qualified person in Edo State to talk about accountability, prudence, or governance.”
“The truth is simple: Chris Nehikhare is a political vulture feeding on the carcass of a dead party,” he added, claiming the PDP was “finished and buried” by the will of the people in the last elections.
The Okpebholo administration reaffirmed its commitment to reversing what it called the “damage” done by previous PDP governments through infrastructure renewal and restoring investor confidence.
“The PDP should first apologise to Edo people for the catastrophic years of its governance before daring to criticise a government that is working tirelessly to clean up their mess,” Itua said, urging the opposition to “accept its political obituary and rest in peace.”
