Edo PDP knocks Okpebholo over Presco land revocation denial

By Jethro Ibileke

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has mocked Edo State Government over the controversy that trailed the alleged revocation of the certificate of occupancy of a land measuring 13,545 hectares belonging to Presco Plc, signed by Governor Monday Okpebholo.

Edo PDP Publicity Secretary, Dan Osa-Ogbegie, in a statement on Thursday, expressed shock that the state government denied authorisation of the same document it published shortly after the Governor’s signing.

He noted that the Notice of Revocation was formally signed by Okpebholo on 21 November 2025, citing “overriding public interest” as justification for reclaiming the land.

The said notice was subsequently published by the state land registry agency, Edo Geographic Information Service, following the governor’s approval for circulation.

However, on 27 November 2025, the state government issued a public disclaimer denying that the governor authorised the revocation, describing the publication as “unauthorised,” despite the governor’s signature visibly appearing on the document.

According to Osa-Ogbegie, instead of clarifying the development, the sudden denial by the state government dated 27 November 2025, worsened the confusion generated.

“Edo people are witnessing a government that does not know what it signs, does not understand what it announces, and cannot defend what it authorises. This is not governance. This is a circus. A dangerous circus,” he said.

Osa-Ogbegie questioned how a signed document could be denied by the same authority that issued it.

He called for independent forensic inquiry meant to verify the authenticity of the governor’s signature, confirm due process, and rebuild trust in Edo’s land policy administration.

“A Governor who signs today, denies tomorrow, and sacrifices subordinates next week is unsafe for leadership,” he stated.

The PDP spokesman warned that the term used in the revocation, overriding public interest, must not become a convenient cloak for administrative impulse without consultation or legal process.

“Edo cannot be governed through bitterness. Edo cannot be run like a village quarrel. Edo cannot continue under a government that does not understand the authority of its own pen,” Osa-Ogbegie said, insisting that land administration must follow a structured, transparent and publicly defendable procedure.

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