By Titus Olise, Benin City
Exactly 14 days after being sworn in as Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo today came under fire from the new opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-South state.
Chairman, PDP Caretaker Committee, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, at a media briefing in Benin City, the state capital, expressed disappointment over what the party described as “very troubling and disturbing developments” in the State under the young All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration of Senator Okpebholo.
The party was alarmed that, if not appropriately addressed, the said developments could spell doom for democracy, peace and security in the oil-producing state.
Firing the first salvo, Aziegbemi accused Gov. Okpebholo of running a government that is not interested in accountability and transparency, alleging that it was rather promoting anarchy to distort efforts at reclaiming what he described as the mandate given to the PDP and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, in the September 21, 2024 governorship election.
Aziegbemi further alleged that Okpebholo, through his actions and inactions, is setting a dangerous tone for crisis and breach of public peace since assumption of office.
His words: “It has become imperative to draw the attention of the public and other stakeholders to the very troubling and disturbing developments in Edo State under the All Progressives Congress-led administration, which, if not appropriately addressed, could spell doom for our democracy and serve as a recipe for anarchy and instability, thereby threatening the peace, progress and security of our dear State.
“It is most unfortunate and disappointing that in just 14 days in office, the governor-select, Monday Okpebholo, through his actions and inactions, has succeeded in setting a dangerous tone for crisis and breach of public peace, and we are worried that this troubling precedent may just be an ignition for a conflagration that may well be avoided. “
He alleged that just last week, the APC mobilized thugs to attack the PDP Secretariat on Airport Road, in Benin City, in what he further alleged was their desperation to intimidate and frustrate the party’s efforts at reclaiming its ‘mandate’.
Aziegbemi added that,in another instance, political thugs suspected to be working as “government vehicle recovery agents” and led by a chieftain of the APC in the state, broke into the private residence of the immediate past Governor of the State,Mr Godwin Obaseki, Gestapo style, assaulting and harassing security personnel at the premises.
“This is most reprehensible and unacceptable, and we urge relevant security agencies to thoroughly investigate these barbaric attacks and ensure that the perpetrators of these lawless and dastardly acts are brought to book,” he stated.
Aziegbemi called on all Edo people, civil society organizations, and well-meaning Nigerians to beam their attention on the Okpebholo administration so as to prevent a descent into avoidable crisis in the state.
Reacting to these allegations, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the state Governor, Mr. Fred Itua, dismissed the positions.
He said that the Aziegbemi factional chapter of PDP in the state was yet to accept the clear reality that it has assumed the arduous role of an opposition party.
Itua explained ed that Gov. Okpebholo is in a hurry to develop the state.
The CPS said: “Since his inauguration a fortnight ago, he has remained undaunted, living up to the people’s expectations.
“Barely one week in office, he addressed and solved what the Godwin Obaseki-led administration could not confront in eight years. He has banned activities of touts across various markets in Edo State, hired by the Obaseki-led administration.”
