The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration of systematically dismantling the developmental structures established by his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki.
Speaking at a press conference in Benin City on Tuesday, the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Dan Osa-Ogbegie, alleged that instead of consolidating on the progress made under Obaseki, Governor Okpebholo has chosen to discard several critical policy frameworks in areas such as education and security.
Osa-Ogbegie emphasized that governance should be a continuous process, warning against abandoning functioning systems for political reasons. “The security architecture you met—why discard it? You can improve on it,” he said. “He is dismantling all the structures of his predecessor because they were from a different political party. That is not how government should operate.”
The PDP spokesman highlighted the success of the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EdoBEST) programme, which, according to him, earned international recognition from organizations such as the World Bank and UNESCO. He noted that even the Lagos State government once studied Edo’s model to enhance its education policy, questioning what had changed under the new administration.
Obaseki Not on the Run, Says PDP
Addressing speculations surrounding former Governor Godwin Obaseki’s absence from the state, the PDP clarified that the former governor is not evading any investigation or inquiry.
Former Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chris Nehikhare, described reports suggesting that Obaseki was on the run as “laughable.” He stated that Obaseki is currently on a fellowship programme at a university in the United Kingdom and remains available to respond to any legitimate invitation from relevant authorities such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“Governor Obaseki is not hiding from anyone. He completed his eight-year tenure and is no longer contesting for any political position. He constructed over 1,300 kilometres of roads across the state and established several institutions. His record speaks for itself,” Nehikhare asserted.
He further argued that the current administration’s discomfort with Obaseki stems from what he described as “Obaseki Derailment Syndrome (ODS),” suggesting that Okpebholo’s government feels threatened by the enduring influence of Obaseki’s legacy.
PDP Urges Continuity and Cooperation
The Edo PDP called on Governor Okpebholo to prioritize continuity in governance by building on existing achievements rather than dismantling them. The party urged the current administration to focus on improving infrastructure, consolidating educational gains, and addressing security challenges across the state.
Osa-Ogbegie appealed for political maturity, emphasizing that partisan differences should not hinder progress. “Obaseki served the people of Edo for eight years and left behind viable systems. Okpebholo should study these structures and enhance them for the benefit of the state,” he said.
The PDP maintained that Edo people deserve consistent development regardless of changes in political leadership, warning that reversing successful initiatives could stall the state’s advancement.
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