By Ozioruva Aliu

The Edo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday criticized the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for its remarks on Senator Monday Okpebholo’s administration, accusing the opposition party of being out of touch with governance realities.

Speaking at a press conference held at the APC state secretariat, the Acting State Chairman, Emperor Jarret Tenebe, defended key initiatives of the Okpebholo administration, such as the Ramat Park Flyover, which the PDP had labeled controversial. Tenebe stated that the project was duly included in the revised 2024 budget and dismissed allegations of an attack on the PDP secretariat as baseless and unsubstantiated.

Tenebe accused the PDP of maintaining a history of “ignoble and violent traits” that Edo residents had rejected. He also condemned pre-election calls for violence by certain PDP leaders, which he claimed contributed to unrest, including the killing of a police inspector attached to the current governor.

According to Tenebe: “The PDP, still celebrating its failure, has embarked on a self-destructive voyage to criticize a government that has already surpassed the non-achievements of Governor Obaseki in just a few days of leadership.”

Tenebe highlighted the inclusion of the Ramat Park Flyover project in the revised 2024 Edo State budget, which he said accounted for essential and urgent developments. He criticized the PDP’s claim that such projects were impossible, asserting that Governor Okpebholo had demonstrated that determined governance could achieve what was previously dismissed as unrealistic.

“Edo people are now happy that a governor who understands their plight is tackling issues head-on and delivering on projects the PDP could not achieve in eight years,” he said.

Addressing the PDP’s claim that suspected APC members attacked its secretariat, Tenebe called the accusations baseless. He urged the PDP to provide concrete evidence of the alleged incident, adding that:

“The alleged act must be proven beyond reasonable doubt. Suspicion alone has no place in our criminal statutes.”

The APC also dismissed allegations from PDP leaders, including Dr. Tony Aziegbeni and Osita Chidoka, that the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) was compromised during the September 21 governorship election.

Tenebe accused the PDP of introducing unauthorized BVAS machines into the electoral process and called for an investigation.

“There are two sets of BVAS machines: the legitimate ones used by INEC and the manipulated machines smuggled in by the PDP,” he alleged.

He called on security agencies to investigate the source of the manipulated BVAS devices and the dissemination of false election results.

Tenebe concluded by emphasizing the APC’s commitment to ensuring progress under Governor Okpebholo’s leadership.

“His Excellency has put his hand on the plow and is ready to place Edo State on the map of progressives,” he said.

The APC reiterated its support for Okpebholo’s administration and urged residents to trust in the party’s vision for a better Edo State.