The recent elections in Edo State have brought to light discussions surrounding the financial support provided by All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers to Senator Monday Okpebholo, the newly elected governor. Deputy spokesman of the House, Mr. Philip Agbese, confirmed that lawmakers voluntarily contributed to Okpebholo’s campaign funds, countering claims of coercion. This assertion came in response to a publication suggesting that N1 million was deducted from the allowances of APC lawmakers without their consent to bolster the campaigns of Okpebholo and his deputy, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, a fellow member of the House of Representatives.
In a telephone interview, Agbese reiterated that the financial contributions were a collective decision made during a meeting attended by the party lawmakers, emphasizing the absence of coercion in the process. He clarified that the House had previously aligned with the APC Edo governorship ticket, which garnered a significant number of votes compared to rival parties, namely the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party. Moreover, he highlighted that the support for Okpebholo was a natural extension of the camaraderie shared within the party, given that Idahosa is one of their own.
Challenging the narrative presented in the report, Agbese pointed out that the claims alleging forced contributions lack credibility. He noted that had the lawmakers indeed experienced discontent or coercion, there would have been an immediate outcry when the APC House caucus initially announced its decision to donate to the campaign funds. His remarks suggest that any dissent from lawmakers was merely speculative and lacked substantive evidence. Agbese emphasized that the Speaker of the House was not involved in the meeting where the contributions were discussed, further distancing the leadership from the alleged coercive actions.
According to Agbese, a quorum was present during the meeting, which facilitated the election of a fundraising committee chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu. The formation of this committee underscores the organized effort made by the House majority caucus to support their party’s candidate and indicates that the fundraising process was managed in an orderly fashion. He praised the legislative assembly’s collective resolve, illustrating a sense of unity among the members in relation to their support for Okpebholo’s governor-elect status.
In light of the controversy, Agbese appealed to journalists and reporters to ensure the precision of their facts prior to publication, underscoring the responsibility of the media to distinguish between journalism and speculation. His call for accurate reporting reflects a broader concern regarding the portrayal of political matters in the press and the potential repercussions of misinformation. By urging an adherence to factual reporting, Agbese aims to help maintain the integrity of the political discourse surrounding the new governor’s administration.
Overall, the narrative surrounding the financial contributions to Okpebholo’s campaign paints a picture of voluntary participation rather than coercion, challenging allegations that have surfaced in the media. Agbese’s statements serve to clarify the intentions behind the lawmakers’ contributions and to promote accountability in reporting. This situation illustrates the complexities of political fundraising and highlights the need for transparency and fact-checking in political journalism, particularly in the evolving landscape of Nigerian politics.
