Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has been taken to the cleaners by Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Hon. Tony Azeigbemi.

He said: “For clarity, we want to emphasize that every comment made by the governor in the statement is false and baseless and at no point have PDP leaders received any such funds from Local Government Chairmen as ridiculously alleged by the Governor.”

“We doubt very much that the figure blotted out by Mr. Governor-Select is actually the figure he intended to say, we know he was confused a few weeks ago when he was confronted with financials. However, we challenge him to provide proof to substantiate these unfounded claims.”

“Okpebholo must understand that the Local Government is neither an appendage nor a subordinate of the State Government, but a constitutionally recognized third tier of government, whose independence and autonomy are guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and stop forthwith with this executive rascality before the State descends into anarchy and chaos.”

“As we have repeatedly pointed out, Okpebholo’s real challenge lies in his lack of capacity and developmental plans for the State. He is a politician out of his depth who got into office unprepared, through the back door.”

“We, therefore, urge him to settle down, build capacity, and focus on serving the people of Edo State during his brief tenure at Dennis Osadebey Avenue, rather than jeopardize the peace and security of the State in desperate pursuit of his selfish interests.”