PDP accuses Okpebholo of bribing acting LG chairmen with N34m to defect to APC

The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused the Governor Monday Okpebholo of bribing 17 local government legislative leaders with the sum of N34 million to defect to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

DAILY POST recalls that the party had earlier last week accused the governor of spending the sum of N2.8 billion to bribe opposition lawmakers in the State House of Assembly to dump PDP for APC.

Chris Nehikhare, Publicity Secretary,
Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, made the accusation in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin City.

The statement is titled, ‘Okpebholo wooing PDP councillors with N2m each to defect to APC. Security, public safety and order in dire straits’.

He alleged that each of the defectors was bribed with N2 million by the state government to join APC.

The statement read, “Senator 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.”

The statement added that PDP is confident that the judiciary would correct the injustice of September 21, 2024, and return the alleged stolen mandate to the party and its canditate, Asue Ighodalo.