The Edo State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party has cautioned Senator Monday Okpebholo against claiming credit for the construction of Temboga Road and other projects initiated and completed during the tenure of his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Publicity Secretary of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, Chris Nehikhare, criticised Okpebholo’s claim that his administration was flagging off the construction of the 7.5km Temboga Road.
Nehikhare described the statement as disingenuous and misleading, asserting that the project had already been completed by the previous Obaseki-led government.
Nehikhare urged Okpebholo to refrain from what he termed “mendacious antics” of rewriting the accomplishments of Obaseki’s administration. Instead, he challenged the governor to focus on fulfilling his campaign promises by initiating projects that align with his administration’s vision for Edo State.
He said, “It is unfortunate that Senator Monday Okpebholo, the governor-elect, and his administration are starting on the wrong footing by resorting to deceiving the people of Edo State with false claims of initiating projects already completed by the Obaseki-led government.
“One such project is the 7.5km Temboga Road, which was both initiated and constructed under the Obaseki administration. This is utterly preposterous and condemnable. We urge the governor-elect and his administration to desist from such ignoble acts immediately.
“Edo people deserve better than disingenuousness and deceit. Rather than engaging in these mendacious tactics to rewrite the performance records of Governor Obaseki’s administration, we call on Senator Okpebholo to focus on delivering his campaign promises to the people of Edo State and initiating his own projects that reflect his administration’s vision for the state, if indeed such a vision exists.”
In response, a statement from Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, titled “Temboga Road: Shame on PDP, Obaseki”, accused Nehikhare of inadvertently exposing the failures of the Obaseki administration.
Itua said, “The factional Publicity Secretary of the depleted PDP Caretaker Committee in Edo State, Chris Nehikhare, has once again exposed the numerous failures of the Godwin Obaseki-led administration.
“For over a year, the PDP-led administration failed to complete a mere 7.5km road. Now, they are embarrassed because Governor Monday Okpebholo is committed to completing abandoned or poorly executed projects by the Obaseki administration.
“Okpebholo will not be distracted by retired politicians chasing clout and suffering from post-election trauma. His administration will remain focused on providing critical infrastructure and creating economic opportunities for the people of Edo State.”
Itua concluded by reiterating Okpebholo’s commitment to working for the benefit of the Edo people and delivering on his promises.