The Edo State government has come under fire from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for allegedly putting political godfathers ahead of addressing the state’s escalating rate of violent crimes and kidnappings.
The Edo PDP Caretaker Committee’s publicity secretary, Chris Nehikhare, said in a statement that the state has turned into a sanctuary for criminals.
“Edo State is in chaos, the people are under siege, and the Chief Security Officer of the State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, appears confused and completely incapable of managing the escalating insecurity,” Nehikhare said.
He further said that the government has not protected citizens in spite of collecting N750 million in security votes each month.
Governor Monday Okpebholo responded by rejecting the PDP’s accusations, claiming they were an effort to deceive the people, frighten investors, and undermine the advancements made during his government.
A statement by his spokesperson, Fred Itua, rejected PDP’s claims, saying “For clarity, Edo State is not, and will never be, the so-called ‘capital of kidnapping and violent crimes’ as Nehikhare maliciously suggests.”
“This is a dishonest fabrication from a party whose time in power was marked by incompetence, failure, and the surrender of the state to criminals.”
He cited the kidnapping of Edo PDP Chairman Anthony Aziegbemi in GRA, Benin, as proof of the PDP-led administration’s previous security shortcomings and their incapacity to uphold law and order.
Insisting that Edo State was headed toward security and advancement under his direction, Okpebholo challenged the PDP to cease deceiving the public.
