PDP, Edo Govt Clash Over Alleged N4.2bn SUV Purchase, Foreign Trips
The political atmosphere in Edo State took a heated turn on Thursday, September 4, 2025, as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caretaker Committee in the state accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo of recklessly squandering taxpayers’ funds and abandoning governance for foreign trips.
In a strongly worded statement signed by Chris Nehikhare, the PDP Publicity Secretary, the opposition party alleged that the Okpebholo administration had concluded plans to spend a staggering N4.2 billion on the purchase of luxury SUVs for 28 commissioner-nominees, each reportedly costing N150 million.
Nehikhare argued that the move represents the most “bloated executive council” in the state’s history, describing it as an unnecessary expansion of government at a time when citizens are battling economic hardship, dilapidated infrastructure, and insecurity.
According to the PDP, while other states are raising the minimum wage for workers in line with increased federal allocations, the Okpebholo/Idahosa administration is more focused on “settling political IOUs, sharing money, and embarking on reckless extravagance.”
The opposition further accused Governor Okpebholo and his deputy, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, of leaving Edo rudderless due to alleged constant foreign trips without any clear delegation of authority.
> “This reckless abandonment of the state has plunged Edo into a dangerous leadership vacuum,” the statement read.
The PDP also painted a grim picture of the current state of affairs in Edo, citing collapsing hospitals, teacher shortages in schools, worsening insecurity, unpaid workers’ entitlements, and abandoned development projects. It claimed that many farmers in Uhunmwonde and Ovia North-East have deserted their farmlands due to repeated attacks by armed gangs, while traders in Benin and other cities are forced to shut down markets early out of fear of kidnappers.
Nehikhare therefore called on the governor and his deputy to “end their endless junketing abroad and return to the urgent task of governance” by fixing roads, restoring security, paying workers, rehabilitating schools and hospitals, and protecting communities from criminals.
Government’s Response
Reacting swiftly, the Edo State Government dismissed the allegations as baseless propaganda. In a counter-statement issued by Fred Itua, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okpebholo, the government described the PDP’s claims as “reckless, misleading, and poorly conceived.”
Itua clarified that the Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, has been in the state carrying out his official responsibilities and insisted that at no point was Edo left without leadership.
> “Governance in Edo is not run on propaganda or guesswork but on systems, structures, and accountability,” Itua stated.
He also defended the administration’s political appointments, noting that inclusivity across senatorial districts was being misrepresented by the PDP as bloated governance. According to him, the current administration is building “a government of capacity, competence, and balanced representation.”
On the issue of workers’ welfare, the state government argued that Edo remains among the most labour-friendly states in Nigeria, boasting one of the highest minimum wages at N75,000.
“The state is firmly on course under the purposeful leadership of Governor Monday Okpebholo and his deputy, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa. Our administration remains committed to restoring Edo’s pride and ensuring a prosperous future for all,” Itua assured.
With both sides trading words, the political scene in Edo State remains tense. The PDP continues to insist that the APC-led government is guilty of mismanagement and misplaced priorities, while the government maintains that it is focused on delivering the dividends of democracy.
For now, Edo citizens watch closely, bearing the brunt of economic hardship, insecurity, and governance debates, as the battle between opposition and government rages on.
