…PDP does not have moral right to query the economic policies of Governor Okpebholo – Afegbua
By Simeon OSAJIE
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday queried the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo, accusing it of presiding over what it described as a deepening governance crisis despite what it said were massive inflows of public funds into the state.
Addressing journalists during an end-of-year media briefing on what it called a year of “drift, democratic rupture and systematic destruction of institutional legacy” in the State, the party state chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi acknowledged the media as “the conscience of society, the watchdog of democracy, and the bridge between government and the governed,” particularly at a time of mounting economic pressure, democratic anxiety and institutional stress across the country.
He commended journalists for their courage, professionalism and resilience, noting that the responsibility of the media to interrogate power, protect truth and defend constitutional order had become more critical than ever.
According to Aziegbemi, statutory allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) to Edo State and its local government areas over the period under review ran into “tens of billions of naira,” yet, he said, there was little to show for it on the ground. He said that the figures presented to them “speak loudly” and raise a fundamental question for residents of the state: “where is the evidence of this money on the ground?” he queried.
He maintained that there had been no commensurate improvement in infrastructure, social services, or public institutions, adding that roads were deteriorating, public utilities were under strain, and local governments were functionally paralysed stating that allocations without accountability are not governance. Money without outcomes is not leadership.
The PDP chairman further criticised the continued release of statutory allocations to what he described as unelected local government impostors, while elected chairmen who had obtained court judgments were allegedly excluded from office. He argued that this situation had deepened concerns about fiscal responsibility and accountability within the state.
Aziegbemi added further that, the Okpebholo administration had also failed to articulate a clear development agenda one year after assuming office. He noted that there was no published policy framework or governing philosophy by which citizens could assess performance, alleging instead that the state had witnessed drift, reactionary governance, policy inconsistency, propaganda without substance, and a steady erosion of democratic and institutional norms.
He pointed to what he called an “embarrassing” budget presentation by the governor, which he said exposed a lack of preparedness and capacity. Emphasising the importance of the budget process.
According to Aziegbemi a budget is not a ceremonial ritual. It is the clearest statement of a government’s vision, priorities, and competence.
He added that a governor who could not confidently present his own budget “betrays a fundamental lack of ownership, preparedness, and capacity to govern.”
The PDP chairman also criticised the size of the state executive council, describing it as over bloated and driven more by patronage than policy outcomes.
According to him, while appointments had increased, service delivery had declined.
On local government administration, Aziegbemi said Edo remained one of the few states without elected local government chairmen in office, alleging that those duly elected were removed through executive action rather than constitutional means. He said seven local government areas -Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, Uhunmwode, Orhionmwon, Akoko-Edo, Etsako West and Etsako Central – had secured valid court judgments restoring their chairmen, which the state government had allegedly refused to obey.
He described as dangerous what he called a contradiction between the treatment of Edo State and Osun State, where federal allocations were previously withheld over questions of legitimacy.
According to him, allocations continued to be released in Edo State despite clear court judgments, a situation he exposed a deliberate double standard and an attempt to weaponized federal institutions against opposition-controlled states.
Aziegbemi also accused the current administration of systematically dismantling what he described as the legacy projects and reforms of former Governor Godwin Obaseki.
He listed initiatives such as the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), Radisson Blu Hotel, Ossiomo Power Project, EdoBEST, EdoGIS, and reforms in the Edo civil service, among others.
Reacting, the Edo State Commissioner for Information, Prince Kasim Afegbua said the PDP does not have moral right to query the economic policies of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
According to him, “First and foremost, always take time to ask them what faction of the opposition PDP they belong, so we can begin to rationalize if they have the morality to interrogate us in the first place. Is it the same PDP members that are behaving like sheep without shepherd, or the beleaguered PDP that is manifestly belligerent in their opposition comments and analysis? Is it the same PDP that is divided into four parts, unable to weave themselves together like responsible citizens that could offer meaningful roadmap for a more reasonable discourse about our dear state?
“Like I said before, this category of PDP vuvuzelas are simply crying because the state feeding bottle has been removed from their well salivated mouth, and now coming to the reality that Edo state is now beyond their grip. What Local Government administration are they talking about?
“The ones that were handpicked in a most monstrous selection process during the infantile years of Godwin Obaseki or which Local government executives are they talking about? We have moved ahead and left the crossroads of the PDP emanations.”