The Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused Governor Monday Okpebholo and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, of abandoning the state for foreign trips without any clear direction or handover arrangement.
Naija News reports that the opposition party, in a statement through its Publicity Secretary, Chris Osa Nehikhare, said the foreign trip has plunged the state into a dangerous leadership vacuum.
PDP also condemned Okpeholo’s recent request to the Edo State House of Assembly to confirm 28 commissioner-nominees, and plans to squander ₦4.2 billion of taxpayers’ money on luxury SUVs.
The statement read, “This reckless dereliction of responsibility has plunged Edo into a dangerous leadership vacuum at a time when citizens are groaning under economic hardship, worsening insecurity, and stalled public services direct consequences of the ineptitude of the APC-led administration at both the federal and state levels.
“Even more disturbing is the governor’s recent request to the Edo State House of Assembly to confirm 28 commissioner-nominees a figure that will make this the most bloated Executive Council in the history of the state. We are aware that the governor has already concluded plans to squander ₦4.2 billion of taxpayers’ money on luxury SUVs for these commissioners, each costing an outrageous ₦150 million.
“This reckless expansion of government comes on top of a growing army of Special Advisers, board chairmen, members, and heads of parastatals—appointments that have driven the cost of governance in Edo to an all-time high in our 34-year history.”
PDP further urged Okpebholo to prioritise workers’ welfare by raising the minimum wage like other states and demanded his immediate return to confront the urgent task of governance.
The statement added, “While other states are prioritizing workers’ welfare by raising the minimum wage in line with increased allocations from the Federation Account, the Okpebholo/Idahosa administration is fixated on buying SUVs, “sharing the money,” and settling political IOUs.
“This wasteful spending spree is especially offensive at a time when Edo hospitals are collapsing, schools lack teachers, roads have become death traps, and communities are left at the mercy of bandits and kidnappers. Reports abound of delayed payment of workers’ entitlements, abandoned development projects, and worsening insecurity—yet the governor and his deputy prefer endless foreign junkets and reckless extravagance.
“Are Okpebholo and Idahosa unaware that farmers in Uhunmwonde and Ovia North-East have abandoned their farmlands due to attacks by armed gangs? Do they not know that kidnappers continue to terrorize highways and communities across Edo, while markets in Benin and other cities are no longer safe, with traders forced to close early out of fear?
“We urge Governor Okpebholo and his deputy to immediately end their reckless junketing abroad and return home to confront the urgent task of governance restoring security, fixing schools and hospitals, paying workers, repairing roads, and giving Edo people the dignity they deserve.”
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