Okpebholo, PDP trade words over alleged ₦3.51bn travel spree

By Jethro Ibileke

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Edo, has accused the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, of squandering an alarming ₦3.51 billion on travel in just the first half of 2025.

This, the party noted that it comes at a time when the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Capital Importation Report confirms that the State failed to attract a single kobo in foreign investment, while states like Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Kaduna, Kano, and Ekiti made the list.

PDP’s Caretaker Committee Publicity Secretary, Chris Osa Nehikhare, who stayed this on a statement on Sunday, described the contrast as both embarrassing and telling.

“Other states are opening their doors to capital, Edo’s leaders are opening their wallets for endless trips.

“This reckless expenditure is an insult to the good people of Edo State who continue to endure poor roads, inadequate healthcare facilities, decaying schools, delays in salary payments and epileptic power supply.

“It is unacceptable that while other states are working to attract investment, Edo’s leadership is squandering scarce resources on trips that yield no tangible benefits.

“Governance is not a jamboree. Leadership demands prudence, vision, and a commitment to prioritizing the needs of the people over frivolous indulgences. Edo State deserves a government focused on creating jobs, improving infrastructure, and enhancing the quality of life of its citizens — not one obsessed with globetrotting at public expense.”

PDP therefore called on the state government to immediately halt the alleged wasteful spending, publish details of these trips, and redirect such funds in the future to address the massive infrastructure deficit across the state.

“Edo people deserve accountability, not extravagance. We demand results, not receipts,” Nehikhare added.

But, in a swift response, Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okpebholo, described PDP’s allegation as Ai-generated falsehood, baseless and ill-informed.

He argued that since his assumption of office, Governor Okpebholo has not embarked on any frivolous voyage.

He added that every kobo spent on official engagements, local or international, is strategically aimed at forging partnerships, attracting investments.

Itua said: “It is ironic, if not downright insulting, that the PDP, a party whose years of misrule, monumental corruption, and gross incompetence left Edo State in ruins, now attempts to lecture the people on governance, accountability, and prudent spending.

“The same PDP that had every opportunity to transform Edo but instead chose to plunder its resources, destroy public trust, and mortgage the future of our people now pretends to be the conscience of the state.

“Since his assumption of office, Governor Okpebholo has not embarked on any frivolous voyage. Every kobo spent on official engagements: local or international, is strategically aimed at forging partnerships, attracting investments, and securing opportunities that will yield long-term benefits for Edo people.

“Unlike the PDP era, where foreign trips were little more than shopping expeditions and family vacations for political office holders, officials of this Government travel with clear objectives, measurable results, and an unwavering commitment to the people’s progress.

“The PDP’s talk of “crumbling infrastructure” is the height of hypocrisy. It was under their watch that Edo’s schools rotted, our roads collapsed, hospitals became death traps, and investments fled in droves.

“Today, the Okpebholo administration is steadily reversing those years of damage, rebuilding critical infrastructure, restoring investor confidence, and giving Edo people a State they can be proud of.

“The Okpebholo administration will not be distracted by the wailings of expired politicians. The focus of the administration remains on delivering tangible, measurable progress for the people of Edo State, something the PDP failed woefully to do when they had the chance,” Itua said.