Benin City, Edo State | 1st October 2025
As Nigeria marked its 65th Independence anniversary, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State issued a strongly worded statement accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government of failure, waste, and misrule.
The statement, signed by Barrister Daniel A. Noah Osa Ogbegie, Publicity Secretary of the PDP, lamented what it described as the tragic reversal of Edo’s progress since Governor Monday Okpebholo assumed office in November 2024.
According to the PDP, over five hundred billion naira has passed through the state in less than a year from federal allocations, internally generated revenue and inherited balances, yet no landmark project has been completed. Instead, the party alleged that resources have been diverted to political godfathers, personal patronage and settlements.
On security, the statement described the situation in Edo as “a collapse of public safety.” Kidnappings, armed robberies and targeted killings were said to have become routine, forcing farmers in Edo South, Central and North to abandon farmlands out of fear. The party warned that the rural economy is already suffering severe consequences.
The PDP also criticised the governor’s financial decisions, citing the publicised donation of 2.5 billion naira to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital without legislative approval, and the controversial approval of 914 million naira to Tony Kabaka Adun under what it described as false pretences. The party alleged that the government deliberately sabotaged the state’s legal case to favour a political ally.
Further allegations included the reported allocation of over 1.4 billion naira to settle fourteen former members-elect of the House of Assembly, the procurement of over 400 vehicles at questionable costs, and foreign trips that allegedly consumed nearly 500 million naira without any measurable impact on Edo people.
Beyond financial issues, the PDP accused the government of abandoning key legacy projects, including the Stella Obasanjo Hospital, the Edo State School of Health Technology, the Iyekogba–Ekenhuan Road, the Teacher Development and Education Technology Hub at Iyaro, and the expansion of the Government Science and Technical College. These projects, the party argued, could have delivered real benefits if completed.
The statement also condemned what it called a “wave of illegal demolitions,” where hotels and private properties were allegedly destroyed without investigation, trial or court orders, thereby trampling on property rights and the rule of law.
On infrastructure, the PDP drew attention to the deteriorating state of roads across Benin City and other urban centres, accusing the government of ignoring urgent repairs while diverting billions to political settlements.
The release concluded with a scathing assessment of Governor Okpebholo’s leadership, suggesting that his actions show a troubling lack of engagement, consistency and vision. The PDP declared that Edo is not a conquered territory and warned that the state treasury is not an ATM for political patrons.
“The PDP, being the Grand Old Party of this Republic, remains the custodian of the values of equity, federalism, stability and development. We are prepared and duty bound to provide Edo people with an alternative to the regression imposed by the APC,” Ogbegie stated.
He congratulated Edo people and Nigerians on Independence Day and urged them to demand accountability, insisting that no mandate is a blank cheque and no leader is above scrutiny.
“Edo deserves better, and Edo will rise again,”** the statement ended.