I am optimistic that leaders of the opposition parties in the state would join the APC fold following my infrastructural development strides in the state – Edo Governor
On Wednesday, 17 of the 18 local government chairmen in Edo State decided to switch their allegiance from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), which is currently in power.
On the other hand, Harrison Izekor, who serves as the acting Chairman of Oredo Local Government, was noticeably absent from the event commemorating the defection, which was held at the New Festival Hall in the Government House.
The defection of the LG chairmen comes just a few days after lawmakers from the PDP in the state House of Assembly defected to the APC, bestowing majority status in the legislature upon the party that is currently in power.
The decision to abandon the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was praised for its bravery and political vision by Governor Monday Okpebholo, who extended a warm welcome to the newly elected members of the All-Progressives Congress (APC).
Within a span of just four months, he highlighted the transformation that his administration had brought about in the state, highlighting his efforts to change the narrative of the state and improve the lives of its people.
Okpebholo express his gratitude to former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Senator Jarret Tenebe, who represents Edo North, and the APC State Chairman for their unwavering support. He expressed his gratitude to the councilors for expressing the concerns of their respective communities, which ultimately resulted in the removal of the previous chairmen and the appointment of the respective new chairmen.
“Let me draw your minds back to where we are coming from as an administration. We practically met Edo that was not working when we came into office. What we met in Edo were insecurity, killings, looting of state treasury using consultants to deceive Edo people and other backward policies implemented by the Obaseki-led administration, but we came and changed the narrative.
“I also thank the councilors who spoke for their various communities through the impeachment exercises in the councils and subsequent appointment of these new chairmen across the 17 local government areas of the State.
“We are committed to the development of Edo State. We have come to rescue the state. I am optimistic that leaders of the opposition parties in the state would join the APC fold following my infrastructural development strides in the state.”
On the other hand, Chris Nehikhare, the Publicity Secretary of the PDP Caretaker Committee in Edo State, has accused Okpebholo of using state resources to bribe councillors into defecting to the APC.
Nehikhare said, “Senator Monday Okpebholo has summoned all councillors from the 18 local councils of Edo State, in a desperate attempt to woo them with N2m each to decamp to the All Progressives Congress.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the reckless use of state resources to purchase support and loyalty, while critical sectors of the state remain in dire need of government intervention, from security to public safety and order, revenue generation, education, and healthcare, among others.
“Rather than wasting resources on buying political support and loyalty, we urge him to channel these resources into meaningful projects that will positively impact the people of the State during his short period at Dennis Osadebe Avenue.”