Edo PDP alleges governor Okpebholo bribed councillors with N34m to defect to APC

The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused Governor Monday Okpebholo of bribing 17 local government legislative leaders with a total of N34 million to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The allegation comes amid growing political tensions in the state, following earlier claims by the PDP that the governor had spent N2.8 billion to induce opposition lawmakers in the Edo State House of Assembly to switch allegiance from the PDP to the APC.

In a statement issued in Benin City on Wednesday, Chris Nehikhare, Publicity Secretary of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, alleged that each defecting councillor was offered N2 million as an incentive to join the ruling party.

The statement, titled “Okpebholo Wooing PDP Councillors with N2m Each to Defect to APC: Security, Public Safety and Order in Dire Straits”, accused the state government of diverting public funds to buy political loyalty at a time when critical sectors, including security, healthcare, and education, were in urgent need of intervention.

According to Nehikhare, the suspected inducement was being finalized at a meeting held at the Edo State Government House in Benin City.

“We are reliably informed that the meeting is being held right now at the Government House, Benin City, and the Edo State capital. Senator Monday Okpebholo has summoned all councillors from the 18 local councils of Edo State in a desperate attempt to woo them with N2m each to decamp to the All Progressives Congress (APC),” the statement read.

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The PDP described the alleged financial inducement as reckless and an abuse of state resources.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the reckless use of state resources to purchase support and loyalty, while critical sectors of the state remain in dire need of government intervention,” the party stated.

The opposition party further accused the Okpebholo-led administration of failing to address the rising insecurity in Edo State, which has reportedly led to the deaths of at least 40 residents in recent weeks due to attacks by herdsmen, kidnappers, and criminal gangs.

“The activities of thugs and non-state actors who continue to harass, intimidate, and extort citizens of the state have remained unabated, leaving the majority of residents in fear and causing a drastic fall in revenue generation,” the PDP added.

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The party also lamented the poor state of healthcare, claiming that hospitals, including the Edo Specialist Hospital, were struggling with a shortage of essential medical supplies.

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Similarly, the PDP accused the administration of neglecting the education sector, alleging that low budgetary allocations had left students struggling with deteriorating learning conditions.

“Yet, Okpebholo’s primary focus is on using state resources to woo councillors to defect to his party. This is not only shameful and disappointing but totally unacceptable,” the statement read.

The party reaffirmed its belief that the judiciary would overturn the result of the September 21, 2024, governorship election, which saw Okpebholo emerge victorious.

The PDP maintains that its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, was the rightful winner and expressed confidence that the courts would rectify what it described as an injustice.

“Rather than wasting resources on buying political support and loyalty, we urge him to channel these resources into meaningful projects that will positively impact the people of the state during his short period at Dennis Osadebey Avenue,” the PDP concluded.

The Edo State Government and the APC are yet to respond to the allegations. However, the development marks another twist in the intense political battle between the ruling party and the opposition in Edo State.