The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Edo State government of prioritising political godfathers over tackling the rising wave of kidnapping and violent crimes in the state.

In a statement, Chris Nehikhare, Publicity Secretary of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, claimed that the state had become a haven for criminals.

“Edo State is in chaos, the people are under siege, and the Chief Security Officer of the State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, appears confused and completely incapable of managing the escalating insecurity,” Nehikhare said.

He further alleged that despite receiving N750 million monthly in security votes, the government had failed to protect residents.

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In response, Governor Monday Okpebholo dismissed the PDP’s allegations, calling them an attempt to mislead the public, scare investors, and discredit the progress made under his administration.

A statement by his spokesperson, Fred Itua, rejected PDP’s claims, saying “For clarity, Edo State is not, and will never be, the so-called ‘capital of kidnapping and violent crimes’ as Nehikhare maliciously suggests.

“This is a dishonest fabrication from a party whose time in power was marked by incompetence, failure, and the surrender of the state to criminals.”

He pointed to past security failures under the PDP-led administration, citing the kidnapping of Edo PDP Chairman, Anthony Aziegbemi, in GRA, Benin, as evidence of their inability to maintain law and order.

Okpebholo urged the PDP to stop misleading the public, insisting that Edo State was on a path of security and progress under his leadership.