The attention of the Edo State Government has been drawn to a reckless, misleading, and poorly conceived press statement issued by the factional Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The statement, which accused Governor Monday Okpebholo and his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, of abdicating their responsibilities and mismanaging state resources, is not only false but also a desperate attempt by a failed political party to regain relevance.
For clarity, we state unequivocally that the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, is presently in Edo State, diligently discharging his official responsibilities.
The insinuation that both the Governor and his Deputy abandoned the State is a product of mischief and deliberate falsehood. At no time has Edo been left without leadership.
The PDP must be reminded that governance in Edo today is not run on propaganda or guesswork; it is run on systems, structures, and accountability.
The attempt by the PDP to mislead the public on workers’ welfare is both laughable and embarrassing. Edo is currently among the top three States in Nigeria with the highest minimum wage, at ₦75,000.
This stands as clear evidence of Governor Okpebholo’s prioritisation of workers’ welfare. The fact that the PDP would cite other States increasing wages without acknowledging Edo’s existing leadership in this area exposes their ignorance and shows how detached they have become from reality.
The PDP also alleged that schools lack teachers and hospitals are in decline. Let the record reflect: since assuming office less than a year ago, Governor Okpebholo has not sacked a single teacher. If Edo schools lack adequate teaching personnel today, it is a damning self-indictment on the immediate past administration of Mr. Godwin Obaseki, under whose watch no meaningful recruitment was carried out in the education sector for eight years.
Similarly, if hospitals are in a state of disrepair and roads are death traps, then the blame must rest squarely on the shoulders of the PDP-led government of Obaseki, which squandered eight years of opportunities to address these critical issues. Edo people are not deceived; they know where the rot came from.
Unlike the PDP, Governor Okpebholo has taken concrete steps to reverse these failures. In just nine months, his administration has commenced the reconstruction of the iconic Oba Market in Benin City, which had been left in ruins for nearly a decade.
He has launched massive road rehabilitation projects across the three senatorial districts, including the Benin–Abraka Road, Benin–Sapele Road, among others.
The Rahmat Park Flyover, now under construction, will permanently ease traffic congestion in Benin. In the health sector, the Stella Obasanjo Hospital Complex is being upgraded into a world-class facility, while new investments are being made in primary healthcare across the state.
The administration has also prioritised security. Governor Okpebholo’s decisive fight against cultism, kidnapping, and violent crime has already begun to yield results, restoring peace in communities that were once terrorised by criminal gangs. These interventions are tangible, measurable, and widely acknowledged by the people of Edo State.
On the matter of political appointments, the PDP’s attempt to portray inclusiveness as excess is another show of bad faith. The current administration is building a government of capacity, competence, and representation across all senatorial districts.
Governance requires expertise and balance; what the PDP brands as “bloated,” Edo people recognise as strategic inclusion for effective service delivery.
It is deeply unfortunate that the PDP, a party cut off from the lifeline of power after eight years of monumental failure, now resorts to cheap lies and baseless propaganda to stay afloat.
Rather than apologising to Edo people for years of neglect, the PDP has chosen to embarrass itself with hollow claims that collapse under the weight of facts.
Governor Okpebholo is less than a year in office, yet he has set in motion reforms and projects that are already redefining Edo’s development trajectory. Edo people are witnesses to this progress and will not be swayed by the PDP’s antics.
We urge the public to disregard the falsehoods peddled by the PDP. Edo State is not rudderless. It is firmly on course under the purposeful leadership of Governor Monday Okpebholo and his deputy, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa.
The administration remains resolute in its mission to deliver the dividends of democracy, restore Edo’s pride, and secure a prosperous future for all.
Signed:
Fred Itua,
The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State.
Thursday, 04 September, 2025.
