Okpebholo, Edo PDP trade words over Obaseki govt’s projects

The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has cautioned Governor Monday Okpebholo against taking credit for the construction of Temboga Road and other projects initiated and completed during the tenure of former Governor Godwin Obaseki.

In a statement on Sunday, the state Publicity Secretary of the PDP Caretaker Committee, Chris Nehikhare, said the claims by Okpebholo that his government was flagging off the construction of the 7.5km Temboga Road, among others, were disingenuous and misleading.

In a reply, the state government said the former ruling party had exposed Obaseki’s failures through the statement seeking glory for a failed project.

The PDP statement claimed that the road had already been constructed by the immediate-past government of Obaseki.

Nehikhare further asked the governor to desist from his mendacious antics of rewriting the story of the performance of the Obaseki-led government by claiming credit for his projects.

He asked the governor to rather focus on delivering his campaign promises, if any, by initiating projects that reflected his administration’s vision for the state.

He said, “It is unfortunate that Senator Monday Okpebholo, the governor-select and his administration are kicking off on a very bad footing and have resorted to deceiving the people of Edo State with false claims of initiating projects that have already been completed by the government of his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki.

“One of such projects is the 7.5km Temboga Road which was initiated and constructed by the Godwin Obaseki-led government. This is utterly preposterous and condemnable and we urge the governor-select and his administration to desist from such ignoble acts forthwith.

“Edo people deserve better than disingenuity and deceit. Rather than engaging in these mendacious antics to rewrite the performance records of Governor Obaseki’s administration, we call on Senator Okpebholo to concentrate on delivering his campaign promises to Edo people by initiating and executing his own projects that align with his administration’s vision for Edo State, if really they have any plans or developmental agenda for the State.”

Reacting, however, Okpebholo, through his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, in a statement titled: “Temboga Road: Shame on PDP, Obaseki,” said Nehikhare exposed Obaseki’s failures through his statement.

He said, “Retired politician and idle factional publicity secretary of the depleted Peoples Democratic Party Caretaker Committee in Edo State, Chris Nehikhare, has again exposed one of the many failures of the Godwin Obaseki-led administration.

“We understand that the factional chapter of the depleted PDP is in a hurry to redeem itself. The PDP-led administration, for over one year, failed to complete a mere 7.5km road.

“The party is obviously pained that Governor Monday Okpebholo is in a hurry to complete some projects abandoned or poorly done by the Obaseki administration.

“Governor Okpebholo will not be distracted by retired politicians who are still chasing clout and suffering from Post-Election Traumatic Disorder.

“Governor Okpebholo will continue to work for Edo people, provide critical infrastructure, and create economic opportunities for everyone,” he added