By Omorodion Omoregie
Fred Itua, writing on behalf of the Monday Okpebholo-led Edo State Government has once again embarrassed his principal, if that is even possible, with a laughable poorly scripted piece of propaganda masquerading as a serious press release.
It features outright lies and fabrications, falsely accusing the PDP of illegal arms stockpiling and creates a pretext to call for arrests of PDP figures.
This latest puerile and desperate attempt to shift blame, is full of baseless accusations and wild conspiracy theories, in yet another textbook case of projection—accusing others of the very things they are guilty of.
For a government that has, in just a few months, presided over a total breakdown of security in Edo State, it is both insulting and comical that they would resort to such absurd lies, blaming PDP and its leaders for their own abject failure.
The real source of insecurity is no secret. Having promised to give Edo State insecurity during the campaign, Okpebholo has, since assuming office, made good on his promise and presided over a sharp and alarming rise in violent crimes, kidnappings, and lawlessness.
The once stable security architecture established by Governor Godwin Obaseki has crumbled under Okpebholo’s ruinous watch. Instead of taking responsibility and acting decisively, his government has chosen to manufacture enemies and create imaginary threats to distract from its palpable incompetence.
It is especially ridiculous to hear the same government that is widely known for its reckless, violence-ridden ways —with the open deployment of thugs to intimidate ordinary Edo people and political contenders alike—now attempting to rewrite history.
Who does not remember the armed mobs Okpebholo and his party used to harass and obstruct the inspections at INEC headquarters and the proceedings at the Election Tribunal hearings in Benin?
Who does not know of the state-sponsored enforcers, let loose on the populace, that have now gone rogue throwing Edo into deep disquiet?
Beyond its sheer absurdity, this press release is nothing more than a lame, dead-on-arrival attempt to preempt and discredit the legal process at the Election Tribunal, where Okpebholo’s fraudulent mandate has been robustly challenged.
By fabricating claims that PDP is stockpiling weapons for post-Tribunal violence, they hope to create a false narrative and lay the groundwork for repression and another spate of arrests similar to the one witnessed last year under the colour of a catch-all murder investigation.
One thing is clear to any dispassionate observer: The PDP has no interest in violence or destabilization. The people’s governor, Asue Ighodalo, is a man of peace and integrity, committed to restoring Edo’s dignity through lawful and democratic means.
It is the APC-led government that is terrified of losing at the Tribunal and is now desperately seeking ways to undermine public confidence in the judiciary.
The people of Edo State know that governance is not propaganda and they are tired of the excuses, distractions, and incompetence of this government. Instead of engaging in laughable gaslighting, Okpebholo should focus on real governance.
If he spent half as much time on security and governance as he does engaging in ludicrous attempts to hoodwink the public, Edo people would not be suffering from this unprecedented wave of violence and lawlessness.
Rather than blaming opposition leaders, he should take charge as Chief Security Officer of the state, secure the state, ensure law enforcement, and dismantle the criminal gangs his own party has emboldened since his selection.
Governor Okpebholo would do well to heed this final word of advice to quit the blame game and roll up his sleeves. Governance requires competence, responsibility, and results—not whining, propaganda, and gaslighting.
Edo people are watching, and history will not be kind to those who use the sacred office of the Governor to play petty politics instead of ensuring the safety and well-being of their citizens.
…. Omoregie, a public affairs analyst, writes from Benin City.