The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused Governor Monday Okpebholo of planning to spend N2.8 billion to bribe opposition lawmakers in the State House of Assembly to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The allegation was contained in a statement signed by Chris Nehikhare, Publicity Secretary of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, and made available to DAILY MENTOR.
The PDP claimed that Okpebholo intends to offer N200 million to each lawmaker to induce them to join the APC. This accusation comes amid rising insecurity, frequent killings, and kidnappings of farmers and residents in the state.
Nehikhare’s statement, dated March 6, 2025, and titled ‘Edo PDP Condemns Okpebholo’s N200M Bribery Ploy to Buy Defection of Each Assembly Member: A Reckless Misappropriation of State Resources’, criticized the governor for prioritizing political survival over addressing critical issues facing the state.
“The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is aware of the ploy by Senator Monday Okpebholo to splash N200 million each to induce members of the Edo State House of Assembly elected on the PDP platform to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC),” Nehikhare stated.
He condemned the alleged plan as a reckless misuse of state resources, especially at a time when Edo State is grappling with severe insecurity, infrastructure decay, and a failing healthcare system.
“In the last few weeks alone, at least 34 innocent Edo citizens have allegedly been brutally murdered across various communities in the State as a result of rising insecurity. While properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed on the back of the ongoing security crisis,” Nehikhare said.
He also highlighted the neglect of the health sector, with hospitals lacking essential supplies, and the displacement of farmers due to kidnappings and herder attacks.
“Unfortunately, amidst all these challenges, Okpebholo’s only concern is his political survival, as he schemes, along with his many political godfathers, to squander billions of naira that should be used to improve the lives of Edo people, on inducing Assembly members to defect to the APC,” Nehikhare added.
The PDP called on civil society groups, anti-corruption agencies, and well-meaning Edo citizens to resist the alleged abuse of power and misappropriation of state resources.
In response, Paul Ohonbamu, Edo State Commissioner for Information and Communication, dismissed the allegations, describing them as baseless and a sign of the PDP’s desperation.
In a statement dated March 7, 2025, titled ‘Nehikhare’s Defection Story: A Lie by the Dead PDP in Edo State’, Ohonbamu argued that any defections by PDP lawmakers would be due to dissatisfaction with their party, not financial inducements.
“The Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, will not give any money to induce members of the Edo State House of Assembly elected on the PDP platform to defect to the All Progressives Congress, APC,” Ohonbamu stated.
He attributed the PDP’s woes to the policies of former Governor Godwin Obaseki, which he claimed led to the party’s defeat in the last governorship election.
“If PDP members in the State House of Assembly decide to defect, it is nothing but a survivalist strategy, because Godwin Obaseki destroyed the Party with his bad and wicked policies,” Ohonbamu added.
DAILY MENTOR recalls that the PDP had earlier accused Okpebholo of withdrawing N750 million monthly as a security vote despite the state’s deteriorating security situation.
The ongoing political tension in Edo State reflects the deep divisions between the PDP and APC, with both parties trading accusations ahead of potential defections in the State House of Assembly. The situation underscores the need for transparency and accountability in governance to address the state’s pressing challenges.