Benin, Edo – The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused Governor Monday Okpebholo of planning to spend N4.2 billion of taxpayers’ money on luxury SUVs for state commissioners.

The allegation, made by the PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, was contained in a statement issued on Thursday, in Benin City.

According to Nehikhare, the Okpebholo-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration intends to purchase 28 luxury SUVs, each costing approximately N150 million, for the state’s commissioner-nominees.

This move, he claimed, comes alongside the nomination of 28 commissioners, which he described as the “most bloated Executive Council in the history of the state.”

Nehikhare criticized the planned expenditure as a “reckless expansion of government” at a time when Edo State faces significant challenges, including collapsing healthcare facilities, inadequate educational infrastructure, deteriorating roads, and rising insecurity.

He highlighted issues such as delayed workers’ entitlements, abandoned development projects, and farmers in areas like Uhunmwonde and Ovia North-East abandoning their farmlands due to attacks by armed gangs.

“This wasteful spending spree is especially offensive when Edo hospitals are collapsing, schools lack teachers, roads have become death traps, and communities are left at the mercy of bandits and kidnappers,” Nehikhare stated.

The PDP also accused Governor Okpebholo and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, of abandoning their duties for frequent foreign trips without clear handover arrangements, describing this as a “reckless dereliction of responsibility” that has left the state in a “dangerous leadership vacuum.”

Nehikhare argued that these trips have not translated into tangible benefits for Edo residents, who are grappling with economic hardship and worsening security.

In response, the Edo State Government, through Chief Press Secretary Fred Itua, dismissed the PDP’s allegations as “reckless and misleading.” Itua defended the Okpebholo administration, stating that the state is “firmly on course” under the governor’s leadership.

He refuted claims of a leadership vacuum, emphasizing that governance in Edo is guided by “systems, structures, and accountability.”

Itua also highlighted ongoing efforts by the administration, including road rehabilitation projects, the reconstruction of Oba Market in Benin City, and upgrades to Stella Obasanjo Hospital.

He described the PDP’s criticisms as propaganda from a party struggling to remain relevant after its defeat in the 2024 governorship election.

The PDP’s allegations come amid other criticisms of Governor Okpebholo’s administration.

Earlier this year, the party accused the governor of planning to spend N2.8 billion to bribe opposition lawmakers to defect to the APC, a claim the state government also denied.

Additionally, the PDP criticized Okpebholo’s N2.5 billion donation to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for a pediatric center, arguing that state-owned hospitals should be prioritized.

Nehikhare called on Governor Okpebholo and his deputy to return from their alleged foreign trips and focus on addressing urgent governance issues, including improving security, fixing schools and hospitals, paying workers, and repairing roads.

The PDP urged Edo residents and civil society groups to hold the administration accountable for what it described as “reckless misappropriation of public funds.”

As the war of words between the PDP and the Edo State Government continues, residents await further clarification on the proposed expenditure and the administration’s plans to address the state’s pressing challenges.