Edo State PDP Hits Back At Gov. Okpebholo: Claims 'No Vacancy' Statement Misleads Tinubu And APC

PDP Edo State Reacts to Governor's 'No Vacancy' Claim

Let’s break it down. The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) isn’t holding back. They’ve fired back at Governor Monday Okpebholo, accusing him of trying to pull the wool over President Bola Tinubu’s eyes, along with the entire All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership. It all stems from a bold statement Okpebholo made, declaring that there’s “no vacancy” in Aso Rock for the 2027 presidential elections. Now, the PDP isn’t just letting that slide.

On Wednesday, March 19, 2025, Governor Okpebholo welcomed defected acting local government chairmen from the PDP to the APC at a grand event held in Government House, Benin City. During this gathering, he made his “no vacancy” declaration, which has since sparked a heated response from the PDP. The PDP isn’t just questioning the authenticity of the event; they’re calling it out as a smoke screen.

Chris Nehikhare Speaks Out

Chris Nehikhare, the Publicity Secretary of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, didn’t mince words in a statement issued the very next day. He labeled the event at the Festival Hall of Edo State Government House as nothing more than “content creation.” In other words, it was all for show, designed to please President Tinubu and the APC leadership back in Abuja. Nehikhare emphasized that the duly elected local government council chairmen, who were part of the PDP, are still firmly in place. Not a single member of the PDP had defected to the APC, contrary to what Okpebholo suggested.

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According to Nehikhare, Governor Okpebholo is losing his grip on the political landscape in Edo State. Desperate to stay relevant, he’s resorting to spreading falsehoods. Nehikhare described the situation as “quite unfortunate and shameful,” pointing out that Okpebholo is now resorting to assembling impostors in an attempt to convince the President and the APC that he’s still in control. The reality, however, is starkly different. Okpebholo, it seems, has lost his grip on the political reins in Edo State.

Setting the Record Straight

In the official statement, Nehikhare went further, asserting that contrary to the claims made by Fred Itua, Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, no chairman from the PDP had defected. All the duly elected local government council chairmen under the PDP in Edo State remain intact and loyal to their party. The people referred to as “chairmen” in Itua’s press statement, Nehikhare clarified, are nothing but illegal appointees imposed by Okpebholo on the various local government councils.

Here’s the kicker: whoever Okpebholo is trying to deceive or impress should be cautious. These claims, according to the PDP, are complete falsehoods. There have been no real political gains for Okpebholo and his party in Edo State, despite what was portrayed in the misleading press statement. Nehikhare summed it up perfectly, stating that the event in the Festival Hall was nothing more than content creation—pure theater—for the viewing pleasure of President Tinubu and the APC leadership in Abuja.

As the political drama unfolds, one thing is clear: the battle for political dominance in Edo State is heating up. Both sides are pulling no punches, and the stakes are higher than ever. Stay tuned for more updates as this story continues to unfold.