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Kingsley Abavo (Managing Editor), Benin
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Edo State have engaged in the war of words, stark condemnation and passing of the bulk of failure over the Governor Monday Okpebholo’s led administration promised gift of N2.5bn to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).
The PDP on Wednesday, in strong terms condemned the decision of the Senator Monday Okpebholo’s led Edo State Government to allocate ₦2.5 billion; a sum it term ‘staggering’ to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), “a federal institution, at a time when state-owned hospitals are in ruins according to him.”
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The PDP in obvious anger slammed the APC in a press release by Chris Osa Nehikhare, State Publicity Secretary, Caretaker Committee, and availed journalists in Benin.
The Party described the gesture as a misadventure which it noted; is not only reckless, but a glaring example of the 2027 election fixation and desperate eye-service politics that has defined Okpebholo’s almost one year in office.
“Edo people are being made to suffer while their resources are squandered on federal facilities that are not the primary responsibility of the State.
“We align with the position of the Association of Resident Doctors under Edo State Government Employment (ARD EDGE), who have openly decried this misplaced priority.
“Their statement exposes what Edo people already know; our hospitals are collapsing, yet the Governor prefers to chase cheap popularity.”
Further in its critic; the PDP wondered, “Stella Obasanjo Hospital, rebuilt with State funds remains under lock and key, with less than a tenth in use. Why is ₦2.5 billion not channelled here?”
Continuing, it outlined the many challenges in the State health sector demanding urgent attention of the Government.
“Edo Specialist Hospital continues to cry for expansion and adequate support, but has been ignored by a government obsessed with pleasing political benefactors and seeking headlines.
“The General Hospital in Abudu is no more than a mere patent medicine store and yet, ₦2.5 billion that belongs to Odogwu is being given to Caesar!
“Meanwhile, Edo doctors, who only recently suspended their strike, still have their legitimate demands unmet. Rather than engage with them and strengthen Edo’s health system, the Governor is busy dashing billions to a federal hospital, in a display of sycophancy and ill-thought politicking.
“Edo people obviously did not elect a Governor to act as a philanthropist to federal institutions. They elected a leader to fix our hospitals, build capacity, and ensure access to healthcare for all.
“By neglecting this sacred duty, Okpebholo has shown that he is unprepared, unserious, and out of touch with the realities of Edo citizens.
“We in the PDP demand that this decision be reversed and that urgent attention be given to Edo-owned hospitals which directly serve our people. Edo deserves working hospitals, not political monuments built with eyes on 2027 elections.
“This is not leadership! This is a reckless waste! And Edo people will not forget!”
The Governor, Senator Okpebholo had during a courtesy visit of the hospital management led by its new Chief Medical Director, Prof.(Mrs) Idia Ize-Iyamu made the promise of the monetary gift.
It was in response to the CMD’s lamentation of the tough times she said the hospital was going through due to paucity of available funding; and other associated challenges thus negatively affecting effective service delivery to patients.
APC reaction
In a swift reaction, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) contrarily labelled the State Government benevolence as a life saving intervention, and not politics also, a direct investment in the lives of Edo people.
The APC also in a press release by the State Publicity Secretary, Prince Peter Uwadiae and availed journalists in Benin, pushed the criticism back to the PDP saying it was all baseless; and clear reflection of a party that has lost touch with the needs of the people.
“As usual, the PDP has chosen propaganda over truth, mischief over facts, even when the matter concerns the health and survival of Edo citizens.
“Let us state clearly; UBTH is not just a ‘Federal hospital’ as the PDP desperately portrays it.
“It is the foremost referral hospital serving Edo people daily. From road accident victims, to mothers in need of emergency care, to children requiring critical surgery, UBTH remains the lifeline for thousands of Edo families. Supporting UBTH is therefore a direct investment in Edo’s lives.
“It is laughable that the PDP under whose watch, Edo’s health facilities collapsed, now pretends to be a defender of State owned hospitals.
Like the PDP, the APC points out the ills plaguing the health sector which it says the opposition failed to address while it was in government.
“Stella Obasanjo Hospital, rebuilt with State funds, was locked up and left to decay under the Obaseki-led PDP government.
“Edo Specialist Hospital, which gulped billions under the same administration, became an empty structure with little to show in service delivery.
“Governor Okpebholo’s intervention is therefore not an act of “philanthropy” but a deliberate, strategic move to strengthen Edo’s healthcare system at all levels.
“Edo people do not care whether a hospital is tagged ‘state’ or ‘federal’ when emergencies arise. What they want is a functional hospital that can save lives.
“Instead of commending this bold initiative, the PDP has chosen to play petty politics, twisting facts to prepare the ground for 2027. But Edo people are not deceived.
“They remember clearly who abandoned their hospitals for years, and they now see a governor who is taking practical steps to fix the rot.
“Governor Monday Okpebholo remains focused and will not be distracted by the PDP’s bitterness and mischief.
“His priority is the well-being of Edo people, and he will continue to invest in healthcare infrastructure across the state to ensure every citizen has access to quality medical care.
“Edo deserves truth, and the truth is simple: Governor Okpebholo is building a stronger, healthier Edo State.”
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