Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Edo State Government and the People Democratic Party (PDP), have engaged each other in a serious arguments over an alleged absence of Governor Monday Okpebolo and his deputy, Hon Dennis Idahosa in the state.
The PDP also accused the Edo State Government of budgeting a staggering sum of N4.2bn for Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) and as well as over-bloating the State Executive Council with 28 Commissioner nominees.
The party in a statement by the Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehihkare said the “absence of both leaders, who are currently on foreign trips, is an unprecedented abdication of duty,” warning that their alleged absence has left Edo in a “dangerous leadership vacuum.”
Continuing, the party said “The reckless dereliction of responsibility has plunged Edo into a dangerous leadership vacuum at a time when citizens are groaning under economic hardship, worsening insecurity, and stalled public services—direct consequences of the ineptitude of the APC-led administration at both the federal and state levels.”
The opposition party expressed alarm over what it called a “disturbing level of wasteful spending by the Okpebholo administration.”
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According to the PDP, “the government plans to spend N4.2 billion on luxury SUVs for these commissioners, with each vehicle priced at an estimated N150 million.
“This reckless expansion of government comes on top of a growing army of Special Advisers, board chairmen, members, and heads of parastatals—appointments that have driven the cost of governance in Edo to an all-time high,” the statement added.
The party accused the administration of prioritizing luxury and patronage over the welfare of Edo citizens.
It criticized the government’s failure to follow the lead of other states that are using increased federal allocations to improve worker welfare and raise the minimum wage.
“While other states are prioritizing workers’ welfare by raising the minimum wage in line with increased allocations from the Federation Account, the Okpebholo/Idahosa administration is fixated on buying SUVs, ‘sharing the money,’ and settling political IOUs,” the party said.
The PDP further painted a bleak picture of the state’s deteriorating infrastructure and security situation.
It cited collapsing health facilities, decaying schools, impassable roads, and delayed payment of workers’ entitlements as evidence of mismanagement.
It also raised concerns over rising insecurity, noting that farmers in Uhunmwonde and Ovia North-East have abandoned their farms.
“Are Okpebholo and Idahosa unaware that farmers in Uhunmwonde and Ovia North-East have abandoned their farmlands due to attacks by armed gangs?” the statement questioned. “Do they not know that kidnappers continue to terrorize highways and communities across Edo, while markets in Benin and other cities are no longer safe, with traders forced to close early out of fear?”
The PDP concluded by calling on Governor Okpebholo and his deputy to return from their foreign trips and confront the “urgent task of governance,” which it said includes restoring security, paying workers, rehabilitating infrastructure, and improving public services.
Reacting, Edo State Government , through a statement by its Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Fred Itua said the Edo State deputy governor, Hon Dennis Idahosa has since returned to the country and is discharging his duty diligently.
He urged the public to disregard the “falsehoods peddled by the PDP.
“Edo State is not rudderless. It is firmly on course under the purposeful leadership of Governor Monday Okpebholo and his deputy, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa”
Continuing, he said.
“The attention of the Edo State Government has been drawn to a reckless, misleading, and poorly conceived press statement issued by the factional Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“The statement, which accused Governor Monday Okpebholo and his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, of abdicating their responsibilities and mismanaging state resources, is not only false but also a desperate attempt by a failed political party to regain relevance.
“For clarity, we state unequivocally that the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, is presently in Edo State, diligently discharging his official responsibilities.
“The insinuation that both the Governor and his Deputy abandoned the State is a product of mischief and deliberate falsehood. At no time has Edo been left without leadership.
“The PDP must be reminded that governance in Edo today is not run on propaganda or guesswork; it is run on systems, structures, and accountability.
“The attempt by the PDP to mislead the public on workers’ welfare is both laughable and embarrassing. Edo is currently among the top three States in Nigeria with the highest minimum wage, at N75,000”, Itua said.