From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the State Government, have traded words over allegation by the opposition party that the State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo plans to spend N200 million each to induce members of the State House of Assembly elected on the PDP platform to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
State Public Secretary of the PDP Caretaker Committee, Chris Nehikhare, made the allegation in a press statement in Benin.
The PDP claim that the governor had embarked on spending spree for his political survival at the expense of insecurity and weak infrastructure in the state.
“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.
“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”, the statement said.
Reacting to the PDP’s allegation, the State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon. Paul Ohonbamu, said the party’s lamentation will not help the dead political party to survive the mass exodus of members to the APC.
He said there were strong indications that the PDP will soon cease to exist in the state and no matter the campaign of calumny and attack against the Governor Monday Okpebholo administration will save the party in the state, adding it is not surprising to know that PDP members in the State House of Assembly are going to cross over to the APC .
“If the legislators abandon their political party it will not be because of any pecuniary consideration as alleged by the PDP spokesman, Chris Nehikhare, but because they are fed up staying with strange bed fellows.
“For the information of Edo People, 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)
“But, just like a broken record, Chris Nehikhare has been repeating himself, spewing out the same story of insecurity and now writing fiction, obviously with the aim of satisfying his pay masters by fabricating lies.
“The fact remains that any discerning and credible politician in the state now knows where the pendulum is swinging to and like they say, failure is an orphan.
“Therefore, it is not strange if members of the House of Assembly want to be on the winning team, because of the good works of the governor which have become the magic wand.
“It is however, a matter of shame and more regret that the PDP elements who should hide their heads in shame due to social dislocation and institutional collapse orchestrated by Godwin Obaseki are the ones throwing stones.
“I said it even before the election that after the 2024 governorship election, history will not be sure if PDP ever existed, and as we say, PDP is dead in Edo State.
“The political party has become a match box without match sticks, while Governor Okpebholo is deploying the resources of the state for purposeful and edifying ventures for the wellness of Edo people.
“Interestingly, If PDP members in the State House of Assembly decide to defect, it is nothing but survivalist strategy, because Godwin Obaseki destroyed the Party with his bad and wicked policies which apparently led to the defeat of their Governorship Candidate Asue Ighodalo at the polls.
“Therefore, what I have for the members of the dead PDP is pity and not sympathy and as for Chris Nehikhare, it is too late to start making any spurious allegations to discredit the hard working Governor because Edo people are tired of the lies in every statement being churned out in desperation to remain relevant”, Ohonbamu said in a statement.
