The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in Edo State has denied claims by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP that Governor Monday Okpebholo sent armed thugs to attack three Local Government Council Areas.
In a statement of denial issued by the Chairman of APC, Jarret Tenebe and made available to CAPITAL POST in Abuja on Saturday, the ruling party said, the governor could not have descended so low to do that, hence, the allegation was delusional and unacceptable.
The further claim that Okpebholo was aiming “at violently seizing control of the council headquarters, despite court orders and injunctions restraining him from doing so”, was a statement so politicallly motivated and misleading.
APC said, it conducted an investigation and found complicit on the the side of Governor Okpebholo, stressing that a governor with strong character and commitment to good governance shouldn’t be cheaply blackmailed in a manner, PDP was doing.
“A recent statement, authored by the chairman of the factional chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, made spurious allegations against the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, claiming that he deployed thugs and armed men to attack three Local Government Area (LGA) headquarters in the State.
“As a responsible party, we feel compelled to set the record straight and provide a more accurate account of the events that transpired. After conducting a thorough investigation and gathering evidence from multiple sources, we can categorically state that the allegations made against Governor Okpebholo are baseless, misleading, and politically motivated.
“Firstly, it is essential to note that the Governor has consistently demonstrated his commitment to upholding the rule of law and respecting the democratic process.
“His administration has been characterized by a strong emphasis on good governance, transparency, and accountability, which has earned him the respect and admiration of the people of Edo State.
“Contrary to the claims made in the report, our investigation revealed that the incidents at the LGA headquarters were not orchestrated by the Governor or his agents. Instead, they were the result of internal conflicts and power struggles within the local government councils, which have been ongoing for several months.
“We spoke to several eyewitnesses and stakeholders who confirmed that the violence and destruction that occurred at the LGA headquarters were perpetrated by rival factions within the councils and the factional PDP, who were seeking to assert their control and dominance.
“Governor Okpebholo’s administration, in fact, has been working to resolve these conflicts and ensure that the councils are run in a peaceful and democratic manner.
“Furthermore, we have obtained documents and evidence that show that the Governor has been complying with all court orders and injunctions related to the LGA councils.
“His administration has been engaging with the relevant authorities and stakeholders to ensure that the democratic process is respected and that the rights of all parties are protected.
“In light of these findings, we strongly condemn the PDP’s allegations against Governor Okpebholo as reckless, irresponsible, and politically motivated.
“We urge the public to be cautious of such allegations, which are designed to mislead and deceive and to seek out credible and fact-based sources of information.
“Chairman of the factional PDP Caretaker Committee in Edo State, Tony Aziegbemi, should be questioned. Since he orchestrated his own kidnapping and extracted a huge sum of money from his friends as ransom, it appears that his mental health has been impaired.
“In conclusion, our investigation has shown that the allegations made against Governor Okpebholo are unfounded and without merit.
“We stand by the Governor’s commitment to good governance, transparency, and accountability, and we will continue to provide accurate and unbiased information on the events unfolding in Edo State.”
