The Edo State Government has dismissed recent comments by factional Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman, Anthony Aziegbemi, describing them as part of a broader campaign of misinformation aimed at discrediting the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
In a statement issued on Friday, the government said Aziegbemi’s remarks on the structure and operations of the state’s Tenders Board were “misleading” and reflective of “a poor grasp of basic administrative procedures.”
According to the statement, the Tenders Board operates strictly under Nigerian procurement regulations and is not subject to political influence or party interpretations. The government stressed that each ministry in the state has a statutory Tenders Board comprising the Commissioner, Permanent Secretary, and relevant Directors, empowered to evaluate and approve contracts within established limits. Approvals exceeding ministerial thresholds, it added, are handled by the State Executive Council, which serves as the apex Tenders Board.
The government accused the PDP chairman of attempting to “create controversy where none exists,” suggesting his commentary aligns with efforts by loyalists of the immediate-past administration to defend what it described as that government’s “well-documented failures.”
Citing examples, the statement revisited the demolition of the historic Central Hospital in Benin City by the previous administration, replacing it with the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), which the government said had “no direct relevance to the healthcare needs of citizens.”
It also dismissed claims of several legacy projects attributed to the former administration—including an Agricultural Hub, the Tayo Akpata Education Hub, and free public WiFi—as “unverifiable initiatives heavy on slogans but light on substance,” insisting they did not translate into real economic or social benefits for residents.
“The former administration perfected the art of glossy publicity to mask a governance style lacking transparency and sustainable impact,” the statement read.
The government maintained that under Governor Okpebholo, Edo State is pursuing “people-focused development” backed by fiscal discipline and measurable results. It highlighted ongoing road rehabilitation, improvements in healthcare infrastructure, investments in education, and what it described as renewed respect for civil servants.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and accountability, the government urged residents to disregard politically motivated commentary, stating that “no amount of revisionist narratives” would derail its reform agenda.
