‘Oshiomhole Lives On Old Propaganda, Not Performance’ – PDP Publicity Secretary

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The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised former governor Adams Oshiomhole, accusing him of deploying “tired fiction and bitterness” in his latest comments aimed at former governor Godwin Obaseki.

In a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Dan Osa-Ogbegie, the party said Oshiomhole’s recent media interview was another attempt to “romanticise” Senator Monday Okpebholo while attacking Obaseki — a man Oshiomhole “once swore lacked the competence, capacity or composure to govern Edo State.”

“Oshiomhole’s interview contained nothing new. It was the same well-worn bitterness and envy-driven propaganda,” the party said. “Edo people know better than to be deceived.”

‘Ceremonial Sand-Turning’: PDP Mocks Oshiomhole

Osa-Ogbegie mocked Oshiomhole’s criticism of recent groundbreaking ceremonies, alleging that the former governor “perfected the art of ceremonial sand-turning” without delivering substantial projects.

He claimed that Oshiomhole's most notable “groundbreaking” activities were in his personal real estate ventures, listing properties allegedly linked to him in:

• Iyamho (villa)

• Maitama, Abuja (mansion)

• Okorotun, Benin City (residence)

The PDP said these were acquired while “Edo people lived in squalor, in broken hospitals, dilapidated schools and collapsing infrastructure.”

His approach to governance, the party argued, was “to wear khaki, shout at contractors, repaint rusted roofs and pose for photographs.”

‘Obaseki Succeeded Where Oshiomhole Failed’

The party attributed Oshiomhole’s persistent attacks on Obaseki to resentment, saying Obaseki “succeeded where he failed woefully.”

According to the PDP, Oshiomhole failed to:

• Attract Shoprite to Benin

• Bring in foreign investment

• Build a five-star hotel

• Deliver a modern conference centre

• Industrialise Edo

• Sustain long-term reforms

He was also accused of driving out major businesses such as the Ikpoba Hill petrol depot.

In contrast, the PDP credited Obaseki with:

• Delivering the Radisson Hotel and a world-class International Conference Centre

• Attracting investments from Tolaram Group, Artee Group, Saro Africa, Farmforte and others

• Developing the Benin Enterprise Park

• Expanding Ossiomo Power for uninterrupted electricity

• Supporting the Edo Modular Refinery

• Establishing new housing projects via EDPA

• Recruiting teachers, doctors, nurses, civil servants and tech specialists

• Implementing EdoBEST — described as “West Africa’s leading basic education reform”

Gelegele, AAU, and MWAA Probe

Responding to Oshiomhole’s claim that the Gelegele project “shifted when it rained,” the PDP said the former governor failed to develop the area throughout his tenure.

It also accused him of starving Ambrose Alli University (AAU) of funding while setting up a university near his residence, saying Obaseki inherited “a financially rotten AAU, a disaster Oshiomhole incubated.”

The party criticised the committee set up by the Okpebholo administration to probe the Museum of West African Art project, calling it “a committee of the bitter” with “zero expertise.”

‘Oshiomhole and Okpebholo Are the Same’

The PDP dismissed Oshiomhole’s defence of the current APC-led government, claiming he was trying to “launder Okpebholo’s failures after ₦236 billion spent in ten months.”

It argued that APC administrations “have reversed progress and dragged Edo backwards.”

The statement also condemned Oshiomhole’s description of PDP leaders as “ancestors,” saying such language was beneath a former governor. It added that Oshiomhole’s relevance declined sharply after his removal as APC National Chairman.

“He was chased out of APC leadership like a maggi thief in Uzairue market,” the party said.

The PDP concluded that Oshiomhole’s recent media engagements were “panic-laced interviews” from a politician nearing the end of his influence.

“Oshiomhole may shout, mock and invent stories. Edo people have moved on from his drama, and no stage performance can save him or the APC from what is coming,” it said.