BENIN CITY: The Edo State Government has fired back at a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in the state over allegations that Governor Monday Okpebholo and his Deputy, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, have abandoned their duties and mismanaged state resources.
In a strongly worded statement on Thursday, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, described the PDP’s allegations as “reckless, misleading and a desperate attempt by a failed political party to regain relevance.”
The government insisted that Idahosa remains in Edo State, “diligently discharging his official responsibilities,” dismissing insinuations of a leadership vacuum as “mischief and deliberate falsehood.”
“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,” Itua said.
On workers’ welfare, the statement pointed out that Edo currently pays a minimum wage of ₦75,000, among the highest in the country, and accused the PDP of ignoring the fact in its bid to mislead the public.
The government also shifted blame for shortfalls in education and healthcare to the immediate past PDP-led administration under Godwin Obaseki, accusing it of neglecting recruitment and allowing schools, hospitals and roads to deteriorate for eight years.
Listing its achievements in less than a year, the Okpebholo administration cited the reconstruction of the Oba Market in Benin, major road projects including the Benin–Abraka and Benin–Sapele roads, the Rahmat Park Flyover, as well as the upgrade of the Stella Obasanjo Hospital and investments in primary healthcare.
On security, the government said decisive measures against cultism, kidnapping and violent crimes have already begun to restore peace in troubled communities.
Defending political appointments, the statement argued that what the PDP branded as “bloated” was in fact strategic inclusion across all senatorial districts for effective governance.
“The PDP, a party cut off from the lifeline of power after eight years of monumental failure, now resorts to cheap lies and baseless propaganda to stay afloat,” Itua declared.
He maintained that despite being less than a year in office, Governor Okpebholo has set in motion reforms and projects that are “already redefining Edo’s development trajectory.”
The government urged Edo residents to disregard the PDP’s “falsehoods,” assuring that the state remains firmly on course under Okpebholo and Idahosa.
