The Edo State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has accused Senator Monday Okpebholo of falsely claiming credit for the construction of the 7.5km Temboga Road and other projects initiated and completed under the administration of his predecessor, Governor Godwin Obaseki.
In a statement released on Sunday, Chris Nehikhare, Publicity Secretary of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, described Okpebholo’s remarks about flagging off the construction of Temboga Road as misleading and an attempt to rewrite history.
Nehikhare insisted that the project was already completed during Obaseki’s tenure and criticized Okpebholo for allegedly starting his term with what he termed as “deceptive tactics.”
“It is regrettable that Senator Monday Okpebholo, the governor-elect, has chosen to begin his administration on the wrong foot, attempting to mislead the people of Edo State with false claims of initiating projects that were fully executed by the Obaseki-led government,” Nehikhare stated. “Temboga Road is one such example, a project both initiated and completed under Governor Obaseki’s administration. This level of disingenuousness is unacceptable and must stop immediately.”
Nehikhare further challenged Okpebholo to focus on delivering on his campaign promises and initiating new projects aligned with his administration’s vision, rather than seeking to appropriate the successes of his predecessor.
“Edo people deserve better than deceit and misrepresentation,” Nehikhare continued. “Instead of resorting to such ignoble acts, the governor-elect should concentrate on delivering his own campaign promises. Let him chart a distinct path that reflects his administration’s supposed vision for the state, if indeed such a vision exists.”
In response to these allegations, Fred Itua, Chief Press Secretary to Okpebholo, fired back with a statement titled “Temboga Road: Shame on PDP, Obaseki”. Itua accused Nehikhare of inadvertently exposing the inefficiencies of the Obaseki administration by highlighting its inability to complete certain projects.
“Nehikhare, acting as the mouthpiece of a depleted and factionalized PDP Caretaker Committee, has only succeeded in reminding Edo people of the failures of the Obaseki-led administration,” Itua declared. “The PDP government could not even complete a 7.5km road in over a year. Now they are embarrassed because Governor Monday Okpebholo is stepping in to address and finalize abandoned or poorly executed projects.”
Itua emphasized that Governor Okpebholo would not be deterred by what he referred to as “retired politicians chasing clout and reeling from post-election trauma.” He reaffirmed the governor’s commitment to infrastructure development and economic empowerment for Edo citizens.
“Governor Okpebholo’s focus remains on delivering critical infrastructure and fostering economic opportunities for the people of Edo State,” Itua concluded. “No amount of baseless accusations will distract him from achieving these goals.”
