The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused Edo State Governor, Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo of wooing PDP Councillors from the 18 Local Government Councils with N2M each to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement signed by Chris Nehikhare, the Publicity Secretary of the Caretaker Committee of Edo State PDP said the Governor invited the Councillors to a meeting in in his office in Government House to perfect the arrangement.
While counselling the Governor to deploy the state’s resources to areas of need that require government intervention, Nehikhare enumerated such critical areas as health, security, education, revenue generation among others.
According to the statement, “Monday Okpebholo has summoned all councillors from the 18 local councils of Edo State, in a desperate attempt to woo them with N2m each to decamp to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“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.
“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”.
Mean while the Chairmen in 17 Local Government Councils today, Wednesday 19 defected from the PDP to the APC in Government House. Governor Monday Okpebholo received the defectors at the New Festival Hall of Government House.