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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Last Wednesday’s celebration of one year in office by the administration of Senator Monday Okpebholo in Edo State has triggered a war of words between the state government and a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state.
The PDP faction led by Dr Tony Aziegbemi, at press conference on Thursday, described the event as a wasted year marked by drift, decline, and deceit, alleging that there had been an absolute collapse of governance and institutional order in the past year and that the state was currently facing economic stagnation and fiscal recklessness.
He further alleged that Okpebholo’s administration had destroyed EdoGIS, which brought order and transparency to land administration during Godwin Obaseki’s administration.
Besides, Aziegbemi claimed that the state was awarding contracts without Tenders Board and due process, adding that the administration was yet to initiate any capital project apart from “an ill-thought-out flyover.” He also lamented the alleged poor state of infrastructure, education and health, saying the controversy surrounding MOWAA (Museum of West African Art), was “totally uncalled for,” as ex-Governor Obaseki had the interest of Edo people at heart when he conceptualised the project.
But in a reaction yesterday, the Edo State Government expressed worry over what it called a “troubling pattern of misinformation being circulated by certain political actors whose aim is to mislead the public and distort the achievements of the current administration of Governor Okpebholo.”
He stated that recent comments credited to Aziegbemi, fell squarely within this trend of deliberate misrepresentation.”
The government in a statement signed by Fred Itua, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okpebholo, said Aziegbemi’s statements, marked by clear gaps in understanding and basic administrative procedure, demand a factual clarification for the sake of Edo people.
Among other things, the statement noted that “it is unfortunate that Mr Aziegbemi, rather than engaging constructively, has chosen to peddle inaccuracies about the structure and operations of the present government. His comments on the Tender Board, in particular, reveal a profound ignorance of procurement laws and administrative hierarchy.”
