The Edo State Government has responded to allegations made by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against Governor Monday Okpebholo, describing the claims as “reckless, misleading, and malicious”. In a statement, Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor, Fred Itua, said the PDP’s statement was a “shameful display of the PDP’s consistent obsession with fabricating lies” against the Governor and the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

Itua stated that the PDP’s tenure in power was defined by deceit, maladministration, and a relentless assault on truth and transparency, making them morally unfit to lecture on constitutional order or democratic values. “It is hypocritical for the same PDP that has consistently desecrated the rule of law through executive impunity and abuse of office to now quote the Electoral Act in a dishonest attempt to score cheap political points,” Itua said.

The government warned that PDP officials, including Chris Nehikhare, would be held accountable for their allegations against Governor Okpebholo and other public officials. “Enough is enough. These unfounded and unsubstantiated claims have no bearing on the truth, and they constitute a deliberate effort to mislead the public, disrupt governance, and cause disaffection in the State,” Itua added.

Fred Itua further accused the PDP of turning political discourse into a “theatre of lies and bitterness” and claimed they had resolved to destabilize Edo State through misinformation and character assassination. However, the government assured that Governor Okpebholo’s administration would not be distracted and remains focused on delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Edo State.

“Edo belongs to all of us, and no amount of bitterness or false propaganda will derail the will of the people or slow down the pace of development,” Itua emphasized. The government warned PDP leaders to desist from peddling falsehoods or provide evidence for their claims at the right time.