Edo Govt Lampoon PDP On Comments On Tinubu’s Campaign Billboard

The government of Edo State  has taken a swipe at the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over a recent press release by its Publicity Secretary, Chris Osa Nehikhare criticizing the erection of a billboard for President Tinubu’s 2027 campaign as the president distanced itself from it.

The PDP sees the hasty erection of the billboard as a dent on the Okpebholo administration, the opposition party calls it a desperate effort to gain cheap favour from the president.

In a reaction, the APC in a statement titled “PDP’S BASELESS ATTACK ON GOVERNOR MONDAY OKPEBHOLO—ENOUGH OF THIS POLITICS OF BITTERNESS AND FALSEHOOD,” which was signed by The Chief Press Secretary to The Governor Fred Itua.

It describes PDP’s remark as reckless, misleading, and malicious, stressing that the PDP once again peddled baseless claims and sought to mislead the public on matters it clearly does not understand or deliberately chooses to misrepresent.

“Let it be clearly stated that the statement is a shameful display of the PDP’s consistent obsession with fabricating lies against the person of Governor Monday Okpebholo and the progressive administration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State. These repeated outbursts are the product of a party drowning in irrelevance and struggling desperately to remain in public discourse.

“It is hypocritical for the same PDP that has consistently desecrated the rule of law through executive impunity and abuse of office to now quote the Electoral Act in a dishonest attempt to score cheap political points. The Edo PDP is in no moral position to lecture anyone on constitutional order or democratic values. Their tenure in power was defined by deceit, maladministration, and a relentless assault on truth and transparency.

“Let it also be noted that at the appropriate time, the PDP and its officials, including Chris Nehikhare, will be held accountable for the spurious allegations they have repeatedly made against Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State and other public officials.” The statement read in part.

It accused the PDP of always turning political discussions into a theatre of lies and bitterness, warning that Governor Okpebholo’s administration would not tolerate a campaign of calumny by the opposition camp.

“Enough is enough. These unfounded and unsubstantiated claims have no bearing on the truth, and they constitute a deliberate effort to mislead the public, disrupt governance, and cause disaffection in the State.

“While Governor Monday Okpebholo has, in good faith and in his respect for the rule of law, allowed these provocations to slide, the Government will no longer tolerate this campaign of calumny. If Chris Nehikhare and other PDP leaders do not desist from peddling falsehoods and deliberately seeking to undermine the peace and progress of Edo State, they will be compelled—at the right time and before the appropriate legal authorities—to provide evidence for every wild claim they have made.

“The PDP has turned political discourse into a theatre of lies and bitterness. Their refusal to abide by the rules of engagement in a democratic society is shameful. They have, in several clandestine meetings, resolved to destabilize Edo State through misinformation and character assassination. But the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo will not be distracted. The Governor remains focused on delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Edo State.

“Edo belongs to all of us, and no amount of bitterness or false propaganda will derail the will of the people or slow down the pace of development.” The statement concluded.