Kehinde Fajobi
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised Senator Monday Okpebholo for allegedly taking credit for projects completed under former Governor Godwin Obaseki, including the 7.5km Temboga Road.
In a statement on Sunday, Chris Nehikhare, Publicity Secretary of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, accused Okpebholo of misleading the public.
“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,” Nehikhare said.
He emphasised that the Temboga Road project was both initiated and completed during Obaseki’s tenure, describing Okpebholo’s claims as “utterly preposterous and condemnable.”
Nehikhare urged the governor-elect to focus on delivering his campaign promises rather than allegedly rewriting the achievements of his predecessor.
“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 and initiating his own projects that reflect his administration’s vision for the state, if indeed such a vision exists,” Nehikhare added.
Responding, Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, dismissed the PDP’s accusations, claiming they highlight the failures of the previous administration.
“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,” Itua said in a statement titled “Temboga Road: Shame on PDP, Obaseki.”
Itua argued that the Obaseki administration had left the road incomplete for over a year and defended Okpebholo’s commitment to finishing abandoned projects.
“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,” he stated.
Itua concluded by reiterating that Governor Okpebholo is dedicated to fulfilling his campaign promises and improving the state’s infrastructure for the benefit of Edo residents.