The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a scathing critique of Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, urging him to “get his act together” and make responsible use of his time in office.
In a statement released Tuesday evening, the party’s Caretaker Committee Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, slammed Okpebholo’s recent comments about probing the administration of his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, particularly regarding the state-owned Nigerian Observer newspaper.
Describing the governor’s remarks as “shocking and disappointing,” the PDP accused Okpebholo of acting like an outsider despite having been in office for over four months. The party reminded him that on November 18, 2024—just four days after taking office—he had already ordered the dismissal of all civil servant staff at Nigerian Observer, a move that signaled his direct involvement in the paper’s affairs.
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The PDP also questioned Okpebholo’s claims of being unaware of the sophisticated printing machines installed by the Obaseki administration at Nigerian Observer. The party pointed out that his own Commissioner for Information, Paul Ohonbamu, alongside General Manager Sylvester Oboh, Chief Press Secretary Fred Itua, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communication, had all personally toured and taken custody of the equipment from Fountain Brooks, the concessionaire managing the press under Obaseki’s tenure.
“Is the governor now suggesting that his officials have sold the equipment without his knowledge?” the PDP asked, insinuating a deeper crisis within Okpebholo’s administration. The party argued that the confusion surrounding the matter reflects broader disorganization within the Edo State government, accusing the governor and his team of a lack of coordination.
