Senator Monday Okpebholo, the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, has pledged to rectify the perceived shortcomings of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration if elected.
In a statement released by his media office in Abuja on Thursday, Okpebholo vowed to address the deficiencies of the current Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government and ensure a more compassionate governance approach for Edo State.
“Our administration will rectify the numerous inadequacies of the PDP regime and ensure governance in Edo is characterized by empathy. We deserve better, and my leadership will deliver just that,” he asserted.
“If entrusted with the governorship, my administration will adopt a different approach. In addition to addressing the minimum wage, we will prioritize crucial areas such as healthcare, housing, and transportation for civil servants,” he elaborated.
Okpebholo reassured the people of Edo that relief was forthcoming, urging them to remain steadfast. He also called upon Governor Obaseki to account for the N5 billion allocated by the Federal Government as palliatives for civil servants’ hardship in the state.
Pointing to President Bola Tinubu’s approval of N5 billion for each state and the FCT in 2023 to alleviate economic burdens, Okpebholo accused the governor of diverting the funds for election purposes instead of their intended usage.
Furthermore, he criticized Obaseki’s recent wage increase from N40,000 to N70,000 as a deceptive gesture, alleging that the governor owed civil servants six months’ worth of arrears. Okpebholo asserted that while other states utilized the federal allocation to provide relief to their workers, Edo remained silent.
Highlighting the disparity in treatment, he emphasized the need for Edo’s civil servants to receive equitable treatment. He condemned the wage increase as a smokescreen to conceal the administration’s failures and lure voters to support a “failing party” in the upcoming election.
