Edo State chapter of the APC has dismissed as false a claim credited to Mr. Chris Nehikhare, spokesperson of the factional EdobPeoples Democratic Party (PDP), alleging that Governor Monday Okpebholo threatened Mr. Albert Obazee with imprisonment.
In a response, the party described the allegation as a deliberate fabrication aimed at distracting the administration from its core mandate of rebuilding Edo State.
In a statement signed by Barr. Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, the State Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party maintained that Governor Okpebholo at no point issued any threat to jail anyone.
“This is a desperate lie from the PDP playbook of deceit,” Barr. Uwadiae-Igbinigie said. “What the Governor has done, and will continue to do, is speak firmly against the culture of blackmail and cyberbullying being weaponized by politicians who thrive on chaos.”
The statement accused the PDP of hypocrisy, stressing that the same party now pretending to defend democracy had, during its eight years in power, left behind a legacy of administrative failure and decay.
“It is laughable that the PDP now wants to wear the garb of moral guardians of democracy when they could not pay workers, complete projects, or manage the economy responsibly,” the APC spokesperson said.
Highlighting its achievements so far, the APC noted that the Okpebholo-led administration is steadily reversing the PDP’s failures by rehabilitating roads, restoring power to abandoned communities, clearing pension arrears, and overhauling waste management.
“Governance is no longer business as usual,” Barr. Uwadiae-Igbinigie added. “While the PDP keeps recycling old propaganda, Governor Okpebholo is delivering real progress to Edo people who deserve better.”
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to the rule of law and free speech, the APC urged responsible public discourse. “Anyone who feels defamed or maligned should go to court instead of resorting to cheap blackmail in the media,” the statement said.
“No amount of political noise will derail this administration’s focus. The era of recklessness and impunity is gone — Edo people now have credible leadership anchored on transparency, accountability, and genuine development.”
