The Edo State Government has criticised what it calls a fresh surge of misinformation allegedly pushed by certain political figures intent on undermining the progress recorded under Governor Monday Okpebholo.
According to the government, the recent comments attributed to the factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Anthony Aziegbemi, fit neatly into an ongoing pattern of intentional distortions aimed at twisting the truth about the administration’s activities.
In a statement released on Friday, November 14, by Governor Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the government said Aziegbemi’s assertions revealed “a significant lack of awareness about governance and basic administrative procedures,” prompting the need for accurate clarification for the people of Edo State.
The state government also expressed regret that Aziegbemi opted to spread “incorrect information” instead of engaging objectively on matters of governance.
The statement further stressed that his remarks about the operations of the Tender Board demonstrated “a remarkable misunderstanding of procurement regulations and the administrative chain of command.”
“For clarity,” Itua stated, “the Tender Board is a legally established institution governed by Nigeria’s procurement laws. Its operations are not dictated by political parties, nor can it be redefined by emotional rhetoric from party leaders who have little knowledge of governmental processes.”
The government clarified that each ministry in Edo State maintains its own legally constituted Tenders Board—comprising the Commissioner, Permanent Secretary, and relevant Directors—who have the authority to review and approve contracts within approved financial limits.
It added that above these ministerial bodies, the highest decision-making Tender Board remains the State Executive Council, which includes the Governor, Deputy Governor, Secretary to the State Government, and all serving Commissioners.
The statement noted that the existing structure is neither unusual nor problematic, as it represents the standard operational model used by states nationwide.
Efforts to Stir Unnecessary Drama Will Not Succeed – Edo Government
The Edo State Government argued that Aziegbemi’s remarks reflect a wider plan by certain individuals attempting to defend what it described as the shortcomings of the former administration.
“This effort to create a false crisis is identical to the tactics used by those desperate to justify the failures of the last government, despite overwhelming evidence,” the statement read.
The government referenced the demolition of Benin City’s historic Central Hospital—an institution that stood for over a century—describing it as one of the most irresponsible actions taken by the previous administration.
“Edo citizens clearly remember how a centrally located public hospital that served countless families was torn down and replaced with a private establishment presented to the public as a cultural initiative—the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA),” the statement added.
According to the government, replacing a fully operational healthcare facility with a project that offered “no tangible benefit to the state’s medical needs” stands as one of the most blatant examples of poor judgment under the former leadership.
Alleged ‘Legacy Projects’ Were Merely Empty Buzzwords
The government also dismissed Aziegbemi’s claims about supposed achievements—such as an Agricultural Hub, the Tayo Akpata Education Hub, and free public WiFi—as hollow, unverified, and lacking real impact.
“These initiatives were rich in rhetoric but devoid of concrete results,” Itua said.
“Not one of them delivered any significant improvement to the everyday lives of Edo people.”
The statement noted that the so-called “free WiFi hotspots” provided by the previous administration were scattered, unreliable, and ultimately failed to contribute to economic growth or ease the hardship faced by families.
It further criticised the former government for relying on “grandiose language and empty pageantry,” often using polished media presentations to conceal a leadership style short on openness, responsibility, and long-term development.
“Those who profited from that period may try to distort the past,” the government remarked, “but the truth cannot be erased.”
According to the current administration, Governor Monday Okpebholo has ushered Edo State into a new chapter built on integrity, prudent financial management, and policies that place citizens at the centre of development.
“Our philosophy is straightforward: tangible projects, visible progress, and genuine accountability,” the statement read.
The government pointed to ongoing road rehabilitation, upgrades to medical facilities, and substantial investments in the education sector—drawing a sharp contrast with the previous administration’s record of tearing down public infrastructure.
It added that civil servants are now treated with honour, and public assets are no longer being repurposed into ventures that serve private interests or transformed into “structures that hold no relevance to the daily struggles of ordinary people.”
Reaffirming its dedication to transparency and evidence-based progress, the state government insisted that political propaganda will not derail its reform agenda.
“The people of Edo deserve leaders who prioritise substance over theatrics,” the statement declared.
“No wave of revisionist commentary—whether from party officials unfamiliar with how government works or from those longing for a discredited era—will interrupt the ongoing progress.”
The statement emphasised that the administration remains resolute in delivering development that materially improves citizens’ lives.
“Edo people are wiser now and clearly recognise how the former leadership elevated propaganda above meaningful governance. That administration mastered the act of deception, using polished press events to conceal a system with little respect for accountability, transparency, or lasting development. Those who gained from that period may attempt to reframe the past, but facts remain untouched.
“Today, under Governor Monday Okpebholo, Edo State is experiencing a renewed direction marked by purposeful leadership, disciplined financial management, and development that truly centres on the people. Our commitment is simple: genuine projects, real benefits, and verifiable accountability.
“Road networks are being restored. Healthcare facilities are being upgraded instead of destroyed. The education system is receiving substantial, targeted investment. Civil servants now receive respect, not ridicule. And unlike the past government, this administration is not transforming public institutions into private ventures or erecting symbolic structures that fail to address real community needs.
“The government stands firm in its pursuit of truth, openness, and measurable progress. Edo people deserve governance rooted in real value, not political showmanship. And no volume of revisionist rhetoric—from party figures unaware of administrative norms or from those yearning for a failed regime—can halt the transformation underway,” the statement concluded.
