• Stop Claiming Credits For Obaseki’s Projects, PDP Tells Okpebholo
• You’re Suffering From Post-election Trauma-Edo Govt. Replies PDP
By Kolawole Ojebisi
From all indications the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State have not put the war of words that characterized their recent governorship electioneering campaign behind them.
This is as the two political opponents have resorted to accusations and counter-accusations days after Monday Okpebholo of the APC assumed office as governor of Edo state.
The state chapter of the PDP has accused the governor of claiming credit for the construction of Temboga Road and other projects initiated and completed during the tenure of his immediate predecessor, Godwin Obaseki.
The accusation was contained in a statement issued on Sunday, by the Publicity Secretary of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, Chris Nehikhare.
The statement faulted Okpebholo’s claim that his administration was flagging off the construction of the 7.5km Temboga Road.
Nehikhare described the statement as disingenuous and misleading, asserting that the project had already been completed by the previous Obaseki-led government.
Nehikhare urged Okpebholo to refrain from what he termed “mendacious antics” of rewriting the accomplishments of Obaseki’s administration. Instead, he challenged the governor to focus on fulfilling his campaign promises by initiating projects that align with his administration’s vision for Edo State.
He said, “It is unfortunate that Senator Monday Okpebholo, the governor-elect, and his administration are starting on the wrong footing by resorting to deceiving the people of Edo State with false claims of initiating projects already completed by the Obaseki-led government.
“One such project is the 7.5km Temboga Road, which was both initiated and constructed under the Obaseki administration. This is utterly preposterous and condemnable. We urge the governor-elect and his administration to desist from such ignoble acts immediately.
“Edo people deserve better than disingenuousness and deceit. Rather than engaging in these mendacious tactics to rewrite the performance records of Governor Obaseki’s administration, we call on Senator Okpebholo to focus on delivering his campaign promises to the people of Edo State and initiating his own projects that reflect his administration’s vision for the state, if indeed such a vision exists.”
Meanwhile, in a swift reaction to the accusations from the PDP, Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, issued a “counter -statement”, titled “Temboga Road: Shame on PDP, Obaseki”.
The statement accused Nehikhare of inadvertently exposing the failures of the Obaseki administration.
Itua said, “The factional Publicity Secretary of the depleted PDP Caretaker Committee in Edo State, Chris Nehikhare, has once again exposed the numerous failures of the Godwin Obaseki-led administration.
“For over a year, the PDP-led administration failed to complete a mere 7.5km road. Now, they are embarrassed because Governor Monday Okpebholo is committed to completing abandoned or poorly executed projects by the Obaseki administration.
“Okpebholo will not be distracted by retired politicians chasing clout and suffering from post-election trauma. His administration will remain focused on providing critical infrastructure and creating economic opportunities for the people of Edo State.”
Itua concluded by reiterating Okpebholo’s commitment to working for the benefit of the Edo people and delivering on his promises.
Recall that Okpebholo of the APC had defeated Asue Ighodalo of the PDP in the September 21 governorship election conducted in the Edo state to become the governor of the state.
He took over the reins of power from his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki of the PDP on November 12 when he was sworn-in as governor at the Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
