The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state has berated Governor Monday Okpebholo for allegedly turning the state to “a theatre of political jamborees and wasting taxpayers’ money on self-serving political gatherings.”
The party noted that the governor had been junketing across the country and beyond in search of loans to fund basic government operations, but was lavishing taxpayers’ money daily.
The party’s remark came less than a week after Okpebholo hosted the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors, and 24 hours ahead of the South South APC leaders’ summit scheduled for Saturday in Benin City, Edo state.
In a statement issued Friday by the PDP spokesman, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, the party described the development as “an affirmation that Okpebholo is a politician completely out of his depth and with zero commitment to the welfare of the people.”
“All these needless jamboree and extravagance are happening while critical sectors like health, education, and infrastructure are grossly neglected.
“No real governance is taking place in the state and while the people continue to suffer from his government’s maladministration,” the statement read in part.
It added, “We are fully aware that the underlying motive behind these endless political jamborees is to curry favour with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, especially as the Supreme Court prepares to deliver its judgement on the 2024 gubernatorial election.
“While we are, however, confident that President Tinubu and the judiciary cannot be deceived by these charades, we urge Okpebholo to focus on governance and refrain from cheap politics of self and theatrical deception.”
However, the Edo state publicity secretary of APC, Barrister Uwadiae Igbinigie, denied the PDP claims, saying the opposition party was synonymous with falsehoods.
He said the allegations were “attempts to cast aspersions on the purposeful and Edo people-centered leadership of Senator Monday Okpebholo and the APC in Edo state.”
Uwadiae added that the governor had prioritised fiscal discipline, transparency, and inclusive governance.