30th November, 2024
By Jethro Ibileke
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has alleged a grand plan by his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, some members of the PDP, and editors of leading newspapers, to orchestrate a media trial to discredit his victory in the 21 September governorship election, and his administration.
The allegation is contained in a statement on Saturday, by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua.
The allegation was a reaction to the claim by former Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), manipulated the election in favour of the Edo Governor.
He said: “We are aware that former Governor Godwin Obaseki and some PDP leaders in Edo State, and their supporters had a meeting during the week, with online merchants and editors of leading newspapers; where it was decided that media trial should be the pattern of their current engagement to discredit the very credible Edo election of 21st September.
“The truth of the matter is that, INEC conducted a very free and fair, violence-free election acknowledged by domestic observers in their various reports. The PDP leadership in Edo state in its review and report, also acknowledged that APC won the election.
“The latest drama of Osita Chidoka amounts to merely beating about the bush, trying to rake up mud against the election. The PDP should allow the tribunal do its job in line with established procedures.
“The idea of deploying the services of editors and senior journalists with a marching order to discredit the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo by all means possible is outlandish and self-serving.
“Their identities are now known, and will be made public in the coming days. We can see that they have recoursed to the social media spaces, pages of national newspapers and pliable national televisions, to push their ugly narratives, that Governor Okpebholo did not win the 21st September governorship election in Edo State.
“By this, we make them all aware that Governor Monday Okpebholo is making good progress in office as the duly elected Governor with an irrevocable mandate for the next four years.”
Governor Okpebholo further alleged that his attempt to verify assets of the state, to recover “stolen cars and other assets from Obaseki’s criminal allies, and probe, if necessary, the financial heist orchestrated by the last administration” triggered the desperate moves to vilify his election.
Itua further stated: “As the duly-elected Governor of Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo will not be blackmailed by media propaganda and or paid social media contractors. He has vowed to recover every dime or asset stolen by officials of the Obaseki administration.
“In the coming days, more revelations about the financial heist, contract scams, abuse of power and destruction of Edo State, orchestrated by the Obaseki-led administration will be made known to Edo people. This is necessary, as his own progress and contributions to the development of the state, must be reliably measurable and fair, when he is assessed.
“Governor Okpebholo, has since hit the ground running, and will not be distracted by the shenanigans of paid PDP agents. He will continue to work hard for Edo people and remedy the mess created by the Obaseki-led administration in eight years.”
He, therefore, warned that Okpebholo “will not sit back and allow a few individuals, who are too timid to allow the will of Edo people stand, sabotage the state.”
“Anyone who runs foul of the law will face the full wrath of the law. Moles and saboteurs planted in different ministries, departments and agencies of government by Obaseki and his cohorts, will soon be exposed; and nothing will stop Governor Monday Okpebholo from standing on the side of truth, fairness, integrity and progress,” he said.
When contacted, the caretaker publicity secretary of PDP, Chris Nehikhare, said he was aware of the allegation and was going to respond. He was, however, yet to respond as of the time of filing this report.
