A Political Storm in Edo
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused Governor Monday Okpebholo of planning to spend N2.8 billion to bribe opposition lawmakers in the Edo State House of Assembly to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The allegation, contained in a statement signed by Chris Nehikhare, Publicity Secretary of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, has sparked a heated political debate in the state.
The PDP claims that Okpebholo’s alleged plan is a reckless misappropriation of state resources, especially amid rising insecurity and infrastructural decay in Edo.
The Allegations: N200 Million Per Lawmaker
According to the PDP, Governor Okpebholo plans to offer N200 million to each of the 13 PDP lawmakers and 1 Labour Party lawmaker in the 24-member House of Assembly to induce them to join the APC.
Nehikhare described the alleged plan as a desperate move by Okpebholo to secure his political survival at the expense of the state’s development.
“We condemn in the strongest terms Senator Okpebholo’s desperate plans to squander the resources of the people of Edo State on political horse-trading for his own survival, while critical sectors of the state remain in dire need of government intervention,” the statement read.
A State in Crisis
The PDP highlighted the dire state of affairs in Edo, including:
Insecurity: At least 34 innocent citizens have been brutally murdered in recent weeks, with kidnappings and attacks by criminal gangs on the rise.
Infrastructure Decay: Hospitals and clinics lack essential medical supplies, and infrastructure across the state is in severe disrepair.
Economic Disruption: Farmers are being displaced, and economic activities are being disrupted due to insecurity.
The party accused Okpebholo of prioritizing political maneuvering over addressing these pressing issues.
PDP’s Call to Action
The PDP called on civil society groups, anti-corruption agencies, and well-meaning Edo citizens to rise against what it described as an abuse of power and reckless misappropriation of state resources.
“This is executive rascality at its peak, and we dare say that this brazen act of corruption and reckless misplacement of priorities is shameful and unacceptable,” Nehikhare stated.
APC’s Response: PDP’s Lamentations Won’t Save Them
In response, Paul Ohonbamu, Edo State Commissioner for Information and Communication, dismissed the allegations as baseless. He argued that if PDP lawmakers defect to the APC, it would be due to dissatisfaction with their party, not financial inducement.
“The Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, will not give any money to induce members of the Edo State House of Assembly elected on the PDP platform to defect to the All Progressives Congress, APC,” Ohonbamu stated.
He attributed the PDP’s woes to the poor governance of former Governor Godwin Obaseki, which he claimed led to the party’s defeat in the last election.
A Battle for Edo’s Future
The allegations and counter-allegations between the PDP and APC underscore the intense political rivalry in Edo State. As the PDP accuses Okpebholo of misusing state resources, the APC maintains that the PDP’s internal failures are driving its members to defect.
The situation raises critical questions about governance, accountability, and the future of Edo State’s political landscape.