Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo on Saturday alleged that there is a grand design by his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, some members of the opposition PDP and some editors of leading newspapers to orchestrate a media trial to discredit his victory in the 21 September governorship election and his administration.
This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin City on Saturday, by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua.
The Governor’s allegation came on the hills of the claim by former Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka in a Channels Television talkshow that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), manipulated the election in favour of the Edo Governor.
Okpebholo who expressed dismay with the media particularly Channels TV for providing the platform for the former Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka to peddle what it described as latest drama of Osita Chidoka said, “We are aware that former Governor Godwin Obaseki and some PDP leaders in Edo State, and their supporters had a meeting during the week, with online merchants and editors of leading newspapers; where it was decided that media trial should be the pattern of their current engagement to discredit the very credible Edo election of 21st September.
“The truth of the matter is that, INEC conducted a very free and fair, violence-free election acknowledged by domestic observers in their various reports. The PDP leadership in Edo state in its review and report, also acknowledged that APC won the election.
“The latest drama of Osita Chidoka amounts to merely beating about the bush, trying to rake up mud against the election. The PDP should allow the tribunal do its job in line with established procedures.”
While accusing the media of leading the gang up, Itua stated that the identify of the plotters are now known and will be made public soon, noting that, “The idea of deploying the services of editors and senior journalists with a marching order to discredit the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo by all means possible is outlandish and self-serving.
“Their identities are now known, and will be made public in the coming days. We can see that they have recoursed to the social media spaces, pages of national newspapers and pliable national televisions, to push their ugly narratives, that Governor Okpebholo did not win the 21st September governorship election in Edo State.
“By this, we make them all aware that Governor Monday Okpebholo is making good progress in office as the duly elected Governor with an irrevocable mandate for the next four years.”
Okpebholo assured that the group are resulting to the media trial as part of a larger plot to scare his administration from verifying the assets of Edo State with a view to recovering what he refered to as stolen cars and the financial heist he alleged were the hallmark of the last administration.
“As the duly-elected Governor of Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo will not be blackmailed by media propaganda and or paid social media contractors. He has vowed to recover every dime or asset stolen by officials of the Obaseki administration.
“In the coming days, more revelations about the financial heist, contract scams, abuse of power and destruction of Edo State, orchestrated by the Obaseki-led administration will be made known to Edo people. This is necessary, as his own progress and contributions to the development of the state, must be reliably measurable and fair, when he is assessed.
“Governor Okpebholo, has since hit the ground running, and will not be distracted by the shenanigans of paid PDP agents. He will continue to work hard for Edo people and remedy the mess created by the Obaseki-led administration in eight years.”