The People’s Democratic Party(PDP) has called on the Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo “to get his act together for the short period he will occupy the Osadebey Avenue as governor and to responsibly serve the people of Edo State.”
The party made the call via a press statement by the Publicity Secretary of its Caretaker Committee, Chris Nehikhare, on Tuesday evening.
Reacting to comments ascribed to the governor that he will probe his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki’s actions in the state owned Nigerian Observer Newspaper, the PDP said, “it is indeed shocking and quite disappointing that Okpebholo still speaks like a stranger who is in the process of taking over a government that he was sworn into over four months ago.
“For Okpebholo’s enlightenment, on November 18, 2024, just four days after taking office, he issued an order directing the sack of all staff of the Nigerian Observer who were civil servants duly employed by the state government.”
PDP stressed, “it is also alarming to hear that Okpebholo is confused as to where the sophisticated machines with which the Obaseki administration equipped the three Nigerian observer presses, which are capable of handling various types of printing, including newspapers, textbooks, laminated materials, and flex banners are kept when his Commissioner for Information, Paul Ohonbamu, the author of his recent jaundiced press statement, Fred Itua, General Manager, Sylvester Oboh and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communication carried out a tour of these equipment and received same from the concessionaire, Fountain Brooks who operated the press on behalf of the government under Obaseki.”
Going further, the PDP averred: “Okpebholo will need to be briefed by his Commissioner for Information, Chief Press Secretary, General Manager of the Nigerian Observer, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communication on whether they have sold the equipment they inspected and took custody of on that day.
“The foregoing however reveals the chaos within the Edo State government leadership, from the governor down to his cabinet members and staff.
“Or is it not baffling that a commissioner, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, General Manager of the said newspaper and a Permanent Secretary could receive equipment on behalf of the government, yet, for some reason, the governor remains unaware and oblivious.”
