“Okpebholo Wooing PDP Councillors with N2m each to Defect to APC” – Nehikhare

…Says security, public safety and order in dire straits

By Simeon OSAJIE

The Edo State Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today alleged that the governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo has summoned all councillors from the 18 local councils of the State, in a desperate attempt to woo them with N2m each to decamp to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Chris Osa Nehikhare, Publicity Secretary of the Caretaker Committee who disclosed this in a press statement made available to newsmen in Benin.

According to the statement: “We are reliably informed that the meeting is holding right now at the Government House, Benin City, the Edo State capital.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the reckless use of state resources to purchase support and loyalty, while critical sectors of the state remain in dire need of government intervention, from security to public safety and order, revenue generation, education, and healthcare, among others.

“The security crisis in the last few weeks has claimed the lives of at least 40 innocent Edo citizens, who are victims of the brutality of herders, kidnappers, and other violent attacks. The activities of thugs and non-state actors who have continued to harass, intimidate and extort citizens of the State have remained unabated, leaving the majority of residents in fear and causing a drastic fall in revenue generation.”

The statement further added: “Meanwhile, the health sector under Okpebholo’s watch is in a state of complete neglect. Health facilities, including the Edo Specialist Hospital, are struggling with a lack of essential medical supplies, making basic healthcare inaccessible to the people. The education sector has also suffered from his administration’s failure, ranking among the lowest in budgetary allocation and priority. As a result, students are learning less, and the system is deteriorating at an alarming rate.

“Yet, Okpebholo’s primary focus is on using state resources to woo councillors to defect to his party. This is not only shameful and disappointing but totally unacceptable.

“Rather than wasting resources on buying political support and loyalty, we urge him to channel these resources into meaningful projects that will positively impact the people of the State during his short period at Dennis Osadebey Avenue.

“As a party, we remain confident that the judiciary will correct the injustice of September 21, 2024, and return the stolen mandate to the PDP and Asue Ighodalo, whom the people of Edo State overwhelmingly voted for in the last governorship election so as to bring an end to Okpebholo and APC’s rascality in the State.”