Edo PDP Caretaker C’ttee Accuses Okpebholo Of Running Govt Without Accountability, Transparency
By Simeon OSAJIE
The Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caretaker Committee has expressed worry over what it described as very troubling and disturbing developments in Edo State under the All Progressives Congress (APC) led administration, which, if not appropriately addressed, could spell doom for democracy.
Briefing newsmen in Benin, Chairman of PDP Caretaker Committee, Dr. Tony
Aziegbemi accused the state governor, Senator Monday 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.
He said, “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 State.
“It is most unfortunate and disappointing that in just 14 days in office, the governor-select, Monday Okpebholo, through his actions and inactions, have 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.”
He alleged that in just last week, the APC mobilized thugs to attack the PDP Secretariat on Airport Road, in Benin City, in their 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 the in 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.”
Aziegbemi however call on all Edo people, civil society organizations 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 levelled against Governor Monday Okpebholo by the PDP Caretaker Committee, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Edo State governor, Mr. Fred Itua, 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, adding that the Governor Monday 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 said.
