The political temperature in Edo rose on Thursday, September 4, as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the state government clashed over allegations of wasteful spending and neglect of governance.
In a statement, PDP spokesman Chris Nehikhare accused Governor Monday Okpebholo and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, of abandoning their responsibilities for frequent foreign trips.
He alleged that the state was drifting into a leadership vacuum while insecurity and economic hardship deepened.
Nehikhare also criticised the governor’s request for the confirmation of 28 commissioner-nominees, describing it as “the most bloated executive council in Edo’s history.”
According to him, the administration had already made plans to buy 28 SUVs at N150m each.
“This reckless expansion of government comes on top of a growing army of advisers, board chairmen, and heads of parastatals, which has driven the cost of governance in Edo to an all-time high,” he said.
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The PDP further accused the government of delaying workers’ entitlements, abandoning projects, and leaving citizens at the mercy of kidnappers and armed gangs. “Edo people deserve leadership, not junketing abroad,” the party stated.
The governor’s spokesperson, Fred Itua, fired back, dismissing the allegations as “reckless, misleading, and desperate.”
He stressed that Deputy Governor Idahosa was “presently in Edo State, diligently discharging his responsibilities.”
According to Itua, Edo remains one of the top three states in Nigeria with the highest minimum wage at ₦75,000.
He blamed the poor state of schools and hospitals on the previous PDP-led administration, saying, “If schools lack teaching personnel and hospitals are in disrepair, then the blame rests squarely on Obaseki’s government, not the current administration.”
He added that the Okpebholo administration was building “a government of capacity, competence, and representation across all senatorial districts,” and remained committed to delivering results.