The Monday Okpebholo tsunami is sweeping through Edo State, causing mass defection of seventeen of the eighteen local government chairmen to abandoned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday.
Notably, the acting Chairman of Oredo Local Government, Harrison Izekor, did not attend the defection ceremony, which took place at the New Festival Hall in the Government House.
This mass defection comes shortly after PDP lawmakers in the state House of Assembly switched allegiance to the APC, thereby granting the ruling party a majority in the legislature.
Governor Monday Okpebholo warmly welcomed the new members to the APC, commending their bravery and political insight for leaving the PDP. He underscored the transformative changes his administration has initiated in the mere four months since he took office, with a focus on improving the quality of life for the people of Edo State.
“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,” he stated.
In reflecting on the Governor’s performance, opinions might vary. Supporters praise Okpebholo for his swift actions to consolidate power and instigate a sense of stability in the local governance landscape. His emphasis on infrastructure development and a promise to improve the lives of citizens resonates with many who seek progress after years of perceived instability. However, critics argue that such decisive power moves, like drawing in of chairmen through allurements, could be viewed as undermining democratic processes.
Additionally, Governor Okpebholo expressed gratitude toward former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Senator representing Edo North, and the APC State Chairman, Jarret Tenebe, for their unwavering support. He acknowledged the councillors’ roles in voicing community concerns, which ultimately led to the ousting of the previous chairmen and the installation of new ones.
“I also thank the councillors 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,” he noted.
Both the governor and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, reiterated their dedication to the development of the state, proclaiming their mission to rescue Edo from its previous decline. “We are committed to the development of Edo State. We have come to rescue the state,” Okpebholo affirmed.
He expressed optimism that more leaders from opposition parties would join the APC, citing his administration’s strides in infrastructure as a motivating factor. “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,” he remarked.
Lawrence Okah, the party’s secretary who welcomed the new members, urged them to collaborate with existing APC members to propel the governor’s vision for a developed Edo State. “The desire of the governor is to unite the State and ensure the people enjoy the dividends of democracy through his developmental strides,” he said.
In a statement on behalf of the new chairmen, Kelvin Iyere, the ALGON chairman and Chairman of Esan Central Local Government Area, expressed gratitude for the acceptance into the party, stating, “We decided to decamp from PDP because of the crisis in our party and our love for the development that Governor Okpebholo has brought to Edo State.”
Amidst this political reshuffling, Okpebholo expressed his support for President Bola Tinubu, emphasizing that the APC is prepared to secure another electoral victory in 2027.
Conversely, Chris Nehikhare, Publicity Secretary of the PDP Caretaker Committee in Edo State, leveled accusations against Okpebholo for allegedly using state resources to entice councillors to defect to the APC. “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,” he asserted.
Nehikhare described the alleged utilization of state funds to purchase political allegiance as “reckless” and “unacceptable.” “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,” Nehikhare articulated.
He urged Okpebholo to refocus state resources on addressing pressing challenges, emphasizing that meaningful investments should target areas like security, education, and healthcare instead of superficial political maneuvers. “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,” he concluded.