Tensions have risen between the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Edo State government over the one-year mark of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration.
The state PDP chairman, Dr Tony Azeigbemi, slammed the governor’s tenure as a wasted opportunity, claiming it has been marred by policy stagnation and institutional backsliding. He alleged that political godfathers, previously resisted under former Governor Godwin Obaseki, have regained control.
“Edo has been recaptured by external handlers, reversing the people’s victory over godfatherism,” Azeigbemi stated. He added that propaganda appears to be the administration’s only active department. “Instead of building, they spend taxpayers’ money attacking perceived enemies—Obaseki, the PDP, journalists, and civil society groups. While other states push reforms, innovation, and growth, Edo is regressing into an era of ignorance and political theatrics,” he claimed.
In response, the state Commissioner for Information, Kassim Afegbua, dismissed the PDP’s accusations as baseless and politically motivated. “Watching the PDP complain is like observing comedians seeking an audience. We are too focused on governance to be distracted by their rhetoric,” he said.
Afegbua highlighted the administration’s achievements, pointing to infrastructure projects such as flyovers, road networks, school renovations, and primary health care improvements. “Governor Okpebholo has turned Edo into a construction site. Unlike the PDP, who thrived on deceit and mismanagement, we are delivering real results and ensuring value for public funds,” he added.
The exchange underscores the deep political divide in Edo as both sides seek to frame the narrative around the governor’s first year in office.
