The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed concern over what it described as a troubling decline in governance under the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo, questioning the utilisation of statutory allocations received by the state and its local government areas.

The party made its position known during an end-of-year media briefing on Wednesday (today), where it addressed journalists on what it termed a year of “drift, democratic rupture and systematic destruction of institutional legacy” in Edo State.

Welcoming members of the press, the PDP 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.

The party 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.

FAAC Inflows, Little To Show

At the briefing, the PDP drew attention to a table of statutory allocations received by Edo State and its 18 local government areas from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) over the period under review.

According to the party, the figures revealed “humongous inflows” of public funds running into tens of billions of naira, but lamented that there was no corresponding evidence of the funds on the ground.

“The figures speak loudly,” the PDP said, adding that Edo people were now confronted with an unavoidable question: where is the evidence of this money on the ground?

The opposition party said there had been no visible improvement in infrastructure, no expansion of social services, no renewal of public institutions and no measurable improvement in the lives of ordinary residents.

It added that roads were deteriorating, public utilities were struggling, local government areas were “functionally paralysed,” while basic governance was largely absent.

Aziegbemi Raises Fiscal Concerns

In a statement released on Wednesday, December 17, the Chairman of the PDP in Edo State, Tony Aziegbemi, said the wide gap between massive federal allocations and negligible outcomes raised serious concerns about fiscal responsibility, value for money and the priorities of the current administration.

“This stark disconnect between massive federal allocations and negligible outcomes raises serious concerns about fiscal responsibility, value for money, and the priorities of the current administration,” Aziegbemi said.

He further expressed concern that statutory allocations were allegedly being released to unelected local government officials, while duly elected chairmen, who had secured court judgments affirming their mandates, remained excluded from office.

According to him, the development had compelled Edo residents to question whether public funds were being deployed for development or merely circulated within what the party described as an illegitimate administrative structure.