The Edo State PDP has accused Governor Monday Okpebholo of planning to bribe lawmakers with N200 million each to defect to the APC, amid worsening insecurity in the state

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has accused Governor Monday Okpebholo of plotting to squander N2.8 billion in a scheme to bribe opposition lawmakers in the Edo State House of Assembly to defect from their respective parties to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

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The allegation was made in a statement signed by Chris Nehikhare, the Publicity Secretary of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee on March 6, 2025.

Nehikhare claimed that the governor intended to use N200 million to bribe each of the 13 PDP lawmakers and one Labour Party member in the 24-member House.

He criticized Okpebholo for attempting to use public funds to secure political survival amidst severe insecurity and other pressing issues in the state, such as kidnappings, killings, and economic hardship.

The statement condemned what the PDP described as “executive rascality” and “reckless misappropriation of state resources.”

Nehikhare emphasized that instead of addressing the rising insecurity that had led to the deaths of 34 Edo citizens, Governor Okpebholo’s priority was reportedly ensuring political maneuvering to retain his power.

The PDP spokesperson highlighted the ongoing security crisis, including attacks on farmers, the displacement of small and large-scale farmers, and rampant kidnappings affecting communities throughout Edo State.

Despite these challenges, Nehikhare alleged that Okpebholo was focused on using public funds for political bargaining rather than addressing the security or economic challenges.

Moreover, Nehikhare accused the state government of neglecting infrastructure development, particularly the health sector, where hospitals and clinics were said to lack essential medical supplies.

In response to the allegations, Paul Ohonbamu, the Edo State Commissioner for Information and Communication, dismissed the claims as baseless.

He labeled the accusations a “lie”, asserting that the PDP lawmakers’ potential defection to the APC would not be due to bribery but because they were allegedly disillusioned with the PDP’s policies under former Governor Godwin Obaseki.

In a statement on March 7, 2025, Ohonbamu suggested that the PDP was on the verge of collapsing in the state due to its failures, pointing to the defeat of their governorship candidate Asue Ighodalo in the recent elections.

He insisted that the PDP’s internal issues had led to growing discontent among its members, making defections to the APC a “survivalist strategy.”

Ohonbamu also claimed that the APC had a stronger presence in the state, thanks to the “good works” of Governor Okpebholo, and that the party was now the “winning team” in Edo politics.

This exchange marks the latest chapter in the ongoing political battle between the PDP and the APC in Edo State, with tensions rising over alleged corruption, bribery, and the state’s worsening security situation.

Both sides continue to trade accusations, with the Edo PDP calling on anti-corruption agencies to investigate the alleged misappropriation of state resources, while the Edo APC remains confident in its political momentum.

Also read: Senator Daniel congratulates Monday Okpebholo over Edo governorship win

With the state’s political landscape in flux, it remains to be seen whether these allegations will have a lasting impact on the political trajectory of Edo State as more defections and political shifts loom on the horizon.