The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Edo State Chapter on Sunday berated the Edo State Government led by Senator Monday Okpebholo for spending a whooping #3.51 Billion on traveling in the last six months.
A statement from the Publicity Secretary of the Party, Chris Nehihkare, which was made available to journalists in Benin City, Edo State said the party regretted that “this waste comes at a time when National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Capital Importation Report confirms that Edo State failed to attract a single kobo in foreign investment .
Nehihkare said that the expenditure by the Edo State Government was an insult to Edo People, whom he said are suffering from poor and decaying infrastructure.
Recall that one of the national dailies, not New Telegraph, had published travel expenses of 21 governors and foreign capital importation in the 1st and 2nd Quarters of the year 2025 as contended in the state website and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)
The publication shows Edo State spending about # 3. 51 Billion, behind states like Lagos, Ogun, Osun , Kano and others.
The Statement read in part:
“The Edo State People Democratic Party (PDP) is outraged by the disgraceful revelation that the Senator Monday Okpebholo-led administration squandered an alarming ₦3.51 billion on travel in just the first half of 2025.
“This waste comes at a time when the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Capital Importation Report confirms that Edo State failed to attract a single kobo in foreign investment — while states like Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Kaduna, Kano, and even Ekiti made the list. The contrast is both embarrassing and telling: other states are opening their doors to capital, Edo’s leaders are opening their wallets for endless trips.
“This reckless expenditure is an insult to the good people of Edo State who continue to endure poor roads, inadequate healthcare facilities, decaying schools, delays in salary payments and epileptic power supply. It is unacceptable that while other states are working to attract investment, Edo’s leadership is squandering scarce resources on trips that yield no tangible benefits.
“Governance is not a jamboree. Leadership demands prudence, vision,and a commitment to prioritizing the needs of the people over frivolous indulgences. Edo State deserves a government focused on creating jobs, improving infrastructure, and enhancing the quality of life of its citizens — not one obsessed with globetrotting at public expense.
“We call on the state government to immediately halt this wasteful spending, publish details of these trips, and redirect such funds in the future to address the massive infrastructure deficit across the state. Edo people deserve accountability, not extravagance.
We demand results, not receipts!” He said.
Reacting, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Edo State Government, Fred Itua fired back at PDP, calling the party’s call ” hypocritical “.Itua queries the moral of the PDP demanding prudent spending from the administration.
He said the PDP had all the opportunities to make Edo State better, but that the party chose otherwise.
“The attention of the Edo State Government has been drawn to yet another baseless, ill-informed, and laughable press statement by the moribund Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, signed by Chris Osa Nehikhare.
“It is ironic, if not downright insulting, that the PDP, a party whose years of misrule, monumental corruption, and gross incompetence left Edo State in ruins, now attempts to lecture the people on governance, accountability, and prudent spending.
“The same PDP that had every opportunity to transform Edo but instead chose to plunder its resources, destroy public trust, and mortgage the future of our people now pretends to be the conscience of the state. Edo people are neither fooled nor interested.
“Senator Monday Okpebholo’s administration is a Government of action, purpose, and vision. The AI generated claims by the moribund PDP are false.
“Since his assumption of office, Governor Okpebholo has not embarked on any frivolous voyage. Every kobo spent on official engagements: local or international, is strategically aimed at forging partnerships, attracting investments, and securing opportunities that will yield long-term benefits for Edo people.
“Unlike the PDP era, where foreign trips were little more than shopping expeditions and family vacations for political office holders, officials of this Government travel with clear objectives, measurable results, and an unwavering commitment to the people’s progress.” He said.
