On Saturday, January 4, 2025, the All Progressive Congress, or APC, characterized the Peoples Democratic Party’s claims that Senator Monday Okpebholo, the governor of Edo State, was responsible for the attacks on and subsequent denial of access to certain local council officials by suspected criminals as wholly baseless and deceptive.
On Monday, December 30, 2024, it was reported that suspected thugs had attacked some officials, blocked access to the chairmen’s and their deputies’ offices, and barricaded the doors to many local government secretariats, including those of Etsako West and Akoko Edo.
Following Governor Okpebholo’s contentious suspension of the elected Edo State local council chairmen and their deputies, the development was heralded by a flurry of violence, disruptions of local council operations, escalating political tensions, and brickbats.
While the governor is an APC supporter, the council officials were chosen on the PDP’s platform. On December 17, 2024, the 18 council members were suspended for allegedly failing to provide their financial records to the governor’s assets recovery committee. However, Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, has now ruled that the Governor’s action violates the country’s current legal framework.
Only on Thursday, January 2, 2025, Tony Aziegbemi, the Edo State PDP’s caretaker chairman, explicitly placed the blame for the shaking of the councils on Governor Okpepholo’s doorstep. The state’s PDP leadership accused the governor in a statement of funding political thugs to assault and expel local council officials.
In order to restrain the governor before he sets the state on fire, the party called on President Bola Tinubu and the APC’s national leadership. However, Jarret Tenebe, the APC’s chairman for Edo State, responded to the PDP’s charges by accusing the party of being careless and irresponsible in a statement.
He claims that the PDP’s accusations against the governor are politically driven and a deliberate attempt to deflect criticism of the party’s poor state governance. The chairman claimed that the attacks on the local councils were carried out by rival groups within the PDP itself in what appeared to be a struggle for supremacy, as demonstrated by reliable intelligence the party had at its disposal.
“As a responsible party, we feel compelled to set the record straight and provide a more accurate account of the events that transpired.”
After conducting a thorough investigation and gathering evidence from multiple sources we can categorically state that the allegations made against Governor Okpebholo are baseless, misleading and politically motivated.
“Firstly, it is essential to note that the Governor has consistently demonstrated his commitment to upholding the rule of law and respecting the democratic process.”
“His administration has been characterized by a strong governance, transparency ,and accountability, which has earned him the respect of and admiration of the people of Edo State.”
“Contrary to the claims made in the report, our investigation revealed that the incidents were not orchestrated by the Governor or his agents.”
“Instead, they were the result of internal conflicts and power struggles within the Local Government councils which have been ongoing for several months.”
“Governor Okpebholo’s administration has been working to resolve these conflicts and ensure that the councils are run in a peaceful and democratic manner”, the APC statement reads in part .
The ruling party in the state, further informed that ,documents at its disposal also lend credence to the fact that Governor Okpepholo respected all subsisting court orders ,as they relate to the issue of the councils.
The APC noted that the State Government has been interfacing with all relevant stakeholders in its efforts and commitment towards promoting the ideals of democratic processes ,as well as the fundamental rights of all parties in the state”, Tenebe stated.
