The State of Edo Now

23/08/2025

Okphebolo and his people, your lies will always be exposed with facts

APC has a reputation for lies and propaganda.

NA OBASEKI REHABILITATE UGBOHA WATER SCHEME PROJECT...

20/08/2025

Crisis Looms in Edo as Resident Doctors declare 5-day strike over Gov. Okpebholo’s failure to meet welfare demands

A major healthcare crisis is brewing in Edo State as the Association of Resident Doctors under Edo State Government Employment (ARD EDGE) has announced a five-day warning strike beginning Thursday, August 21, 2025.

The doctors accuse Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration of dragging its feet on critical welfare issues that directly affect healthcare delivery across the state.

In a strongly worded statement signed by its Secretary General, Dr. Ernest Hills Oamen, the doctors said a meeting held with the Head of Service ended without tangible assurances. Despite claims that the governor had approved their demands, ARD EDGE insists that promises remain vague, with no concrete timelines for ex*****on.

Among the promises made by government officials were: payment of the 2024/2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) alongside August salaries, evaluation of the proposed doctors’ residence by the Public Building Department, and phased payment of CONMESS arrears from 2024. However, the doctors pointed out that none of these commitments came with clear deadlines.

More pressing demands remain completely unaddressed. These include:

Provision of temporary accommodation for doctors pending renovation of official residences.

Settlement of outstanding CONMESS/CONHESS arrears.

Payment of promotion arrears owed to doctors for over six years.

A firm timeline for the completion of the Doctors’ Residence project.

Correct calculation of arrears for members under the Hospitals Management Agency.

“The continued lack of concrete timelines and absence of full implementation have left us with no option but to embark on the scheduled 5-day warning strike,” the statement declared, warning that the government’s inaction jeopardizes not only doctors’ welfare but also the healthcare needs of ordinary Edo citizens.

The looming strike is set to paralyze healthcare services across the state, raising questions about Governor Okpebholo’s capacity to manage labour relations barely months into his administration. Critics argue that the governor risks starting his tenure on a note of crisis and public dissatisfaction if urgent action is not taken to avert the industrial action.

Public Affairs commentators note that health sector unions in Edo have long complained of neglect under the present State Government, and the doctors’ strike may become the first major test of Okpebholo’s political will to translate promises into action.

ARD EDGE emphasized that while it remains open to dialogue, it will not hesitate to escalate its actions if the government continues to treat welfare issues with levity.

For now, Edo residents may brace themselves for disrupted healthcare services as the doctors dig in their heels against what they describe as the state government’s “pattern of empty promises.”

19/08/2025

🚨 EDO TREASURY LOOT ALERT! 🚨

Governor Monday Okpebholo and ex-Deputy Gov Philip Shaibu allegedly plotting to siphon over ₦40 BILLION from Edo State under the guise of “unpaid allowances”!

📌 Breakdown of the shocking demands:

₦85m hospital bills for Shaibu’s wife 🤯

₦1.5bn for 3 Armoured Land Cruisers 🚙💨

₦1.5bn for 3 Toyota Hilux 🚘

₦1.9bn as “security votes” 🔒

Billions more in “allowances” dating back to 2016 📑

👉 Court papers show Shaibu is using the Industrial Court to push for the release of these funds, with an alleged gentleman’s agreement to funnel kickbacks back to Gov. Okpebholo.

Remember: This is money that should be building schools, hospitals, and roads in Edo State, not luxury SUVs and “treatment allowances”!

💬 Edo people, what’s your take? Should citizens allow this LOOT to pass?

18/08/2025

https://www.naijanews.com/2025/08/18/unpaid-entitlements-shaibu-okpebholo-accused-of-alleged-%e2%82%a640-billion-treasury-looting-plot-see-document/

Okpebholo, Shaibu connive to loot over N40bn from Edo's treasury under guise of unpaid allowance, entitlements
..Shaibu wants N85m paid to wife, Maryann as hospital bills, treatment allowance
...to be paid N1.5bn for 3 Armoured Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs, N1.5bn for 3 Toyota Hilux, N1.9bn as security votes

The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo is conniving with the former State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu to loot over N40bn from the State’s treasury, it has been gathered.

According to findings, the monies will be allegedly paid into Shaibu's account under the pretext of confiscated and unpaid allowances and entitlements due to him during his time as Deputy Governor between 2016 and 2024.

As part of the plans to move the money, Shaibu has approached an Industrial Court sitting in Abuja to seek the payment of over N40bn as withheld allowances and entitlements due to him during the times he Acted as Governor as well as those of his 8-year Deputy governorship seat.

Sources reveal that Shaibu had approached the governor asking for the money and both had come to agreement for the ex-deputy governor to approach the Industrial Court to get the orders and legal protection for the release of the funds, with a gentleman agreement that some of the monies will be funneled back to Okpebholo for facilitating the payment.

In the suit with number, NICN/Abj/133/2025 which was sited by our correspondent, Shaibu also sought the payment of over ₦85 million for his wife Maryann’s medical and treatment bills, which allegedly accrued between 2016 and 2024.

Recall that the Edo State House of Assembly, had on Monday, April 8, 2024, impeached Philip Shaibu following the adoption of the report of the seven-man investigative panel set up by the State Chief Judge to probe allegations of misconduct against the former deputy governor.

The investigative panel set up the EDHA was headed by Justice S.A. Omonua (retd.) and probed Shaibu on allegations of perjury and leaking of government secrets, ending its sittings with the former deputy governor refusing to appear before the panel.

He was however impeached by the vote of eighteen out of 19 members of the Assembly present at plenary, while one abstained from the headcount and voting process.

But Hon. Justice J. K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had faulted the impeachment of Shaibu, which was immediately appealed by the Assembly and later set aside by the Appeal Court.

Shaibu has however approached the court seeking the payment of entitlements and allowances that he claimed were unpaid during the period of his sack and others while he served as deputy governor between 2016 and 2024.

He is also seeking the payment N1.9bn for Security Votes for his eight years tenure as the elected Deputy Governor of Edo State.

Shaibu will also receive from Okpebholo’s government N1.5bn for the three 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Luxury SUV (B64-Ultra-Lightwelght Armouring Level) and N1.5bn for three Toyota Hiliux.

Other payments to be made to Shaibu, according to court papers are, "sum of N11,588,220,907.07 (Eleven Billion, Five Hundred and Eighty-Eight Million, Two Hundred and Twenty Thousand and Nine Hundred and Seven Naira, Seven Kobo) for the payment of the Claimant travel duty tour allowance and other statutory allowances and other statutory allowances due to the Claimant as the Deputy Governor of Edo State.

"The Sum of N160,000,000 (One Hundred and Sixty Million Naira) only as the Claimants statutory entitlement under the Edo State Year 2016 Approved Appropriation Law duly enacted by the House of Assembly under the administrative Code 0111100100200.

"The sum of N530,000,000 (Five Hundred and Thirty Million Naira) only as the Claimants statutory entitlement under the Edo State Year 2017 Approved Appropriation Law duly enacted by the House of Assembly under the administrative Code 0111100100200.

"The Sum of N650,000,000 (Six Hundred and Finty Million Naira) only as the Claimants statutory entitlement under the Edo State Year 2018 Approved Appropriation Law duly enacted by the House of Assembly under the administrative Code 0111100100200.

"The Sum of N700,000,000 (Seven Hundred Million Naira) only as the Claimants statutory entitlement under the Edo State Year 2019 Approved Appropriation Law duly enacted by the House of Assembly under the administrative Code 0111100100200.

"The Sum of N1,040,000,000.00 (One Billion and Forty Million Naira Only) only as the Claimants statutory entitlement under the Edo State Year 2020 Approved Appropriation Law duly enacted by the House of Assembly under the administrative Code 0111100100200.

"The Sum of N725,000,000 (Seven Hundred and Twenty Five Million Naira) only as the Claimants statutory entitlement under the Edo State Year 2021 Approved Appropriation Law duly enacted by the House of Assembly under the administrative Code 0111100100200.

"The Sum of N660,000,000 (Six Hundred and Sixty Million Naira) only as the Claimants statutory entitlement under the Edo State Year 2022 Approved Appropriation Law duly enacted by the House of Assembly under the administrative Code 0111100100200.

"The Sum of N1,352,000,000 (One Billion, Three Hundred and Fifty-Two Million Naira) only as the Claimants statutory entitlement under the Edo State Year 2023 Approved Appropriation Law duly enacted by the House of Assembly under the administrative Code 0111100100200.

"The Sum of N345,552,72000 (Three Hundred and Forty-Five Million, Five Hundred and Fifty- Two Thousand, Seven Hundred and Twenty Nalra) only as the Claimants statutory entitlement under the Edo State Year 2024 Approved Appropriation Law duly enacted by the House of Assembly under the administrative Code 0111100100200."

Others are "The sum o N1,491,329,478 (One Billion, Four Hundred and Ninety One Million, Three Hundred and Twenty Nine Thousand, Four Hundred and Seventy Eight Naira) for the three (3) 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Luxury SUV (B64-Ultra-Lightwelght Armouring Level) which each proforma invoice current price is N497,109,826.00 (Four Hundred and Ninety Seven Million, One Hundred Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Twenty Six Naira) only being the price of each of the and three (3) 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Luxury SUV (B6-+Utra-Lightweight Armouring Level) due to the Claimant any other three (3) vehicles of equivalent amount due to the Clalmant as the Deputy Governor of Edo State for the period of Eight (8) years and by the Pension Rights of the Governor and Deputy Governor Laws of Edo State"

He is also entitled to "Three (3) of the aforesaid vehicle which total N1,491,329,478 (One Billion, Four Hundred and Ninety One Million, Three Hundred and Seventy Eight Nalra) and the sum of N75,144,508.00 (Seventy Five Miliion, One Hundred and Forty Four Thousand, Five Hundred and Eight Naira) only being the price of Toyota Hiliux 4WD DC Shell Spec Automatic Transmission Petrol Fabric due to the Claimant as the former Deputy Governor of Edo State (2016 -2024) in line with the Pension Rights of the Govemor and Deputy Governor of Edo State 2007, 2016, which were the official vehicles of the Claimant before the expiration of his tenure in 2024."

He will also receive, "The Sum of N100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Naira) as the Clalmant entitlement for a house or a new house in a location of his choice in Nigeria in line with the Pension Rights of the Governor and Deputy Governor of Edo State 2007, 2016 amendment law 2023 of Edo State.

"The Sum of N85,000,000.00 (Eighty-Five Million Naira) only as outstanding hospital bills for Claimant's wife for her medical treatment between 2016 - 2024."

He also an order directing the defendants "to jointly and severally pay to the Claimant the total sum of N4,288,811.52 (Four Million, Two Hundred and Elghty-Elght Thousand, Eight Hundred and Eleven Naira, Fifty Two Kobo) as total unpaid salary due to the Claimant for a period of seven months (May - November 2024) at the rate of N612,687.36k (Six Hundred and Twelve Thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty Seven Naira and Thirty Six Kobo) monthly salary as Deputy Governor of Edo State

"To jointly and severally pay to the Claimant the total sum of N 485,171,000.00 (Four Hundred and Elghty-Five Million; One Hundred and Seventy-One Thousand Naira) only being the value of the Claimant's personal belongings which were confiscated and withheld by the Defendants after the Claimant was forcefully ejected from his residence as the Deputy Governor of Edo State."

He will also get, "The sum of N105,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Five Million Nalra) only being the approved Appropriation entitlement of the Claimant by the 2017 Edo State Budgetary expenditure under institution's code: 011100100200 and ministry code 011100100100 in page 68 of Edo State of Nigeria Year 2017 Approved Budget.

"The Sum of N449,122,851.60 (Four Mundred and Forty-Nine Million, One Hundred and Twenty-Two Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty-One Naira, Sixty Kobo) being the budgetary provision for personnel cost and overhead cost statutory entitlement of the Claimant

"The Sum of N700,000,000.00 (Seven Hundred Million Naira) being the budgetary provision for personnel cost and overhead cost statutory entitlement of the Claimant for 2018.

"The sum of N54,000,000.00 (Fifty-Four Million Naira) only being the approved appropriation entitlement of the Claimant by the 2018 Edo State Budgetary expenditure under Institution's code: 11100100200 and ministry code: 011100100100 in page 54 of Edo State of Nigeria Year 2018 Approved Budget

"The sum of ₩472,797,216.47 (Four Hundred and Seventy-Two Million Seven Hundred and Ninety-Seven Thousand, Two Hundred and Sixtee- Naira, Forty-Seven Kobo) only being the approved Appropriation entitlement of the Claimant by the 2019 Edo State Budgetary expenditure under Institution's code: 11100100200 and ministry code: 011100100100 in page 52 of Edo State of Nigeria Year 2019 Approved Budget for the Claimants personal cost

"The Sum of N700,000,000.00 (Seven Hundred Million Naira) being the budgetary provision for personnel cost and overhead cost statutory entitlement of the Claimant for 2019.

"The sum of N20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Naira) only being the approved appropriation entitlement of the Claimant by the 2020 Edo State Budgetary expenditure under institution's code: 011100100200 and ministry code: 011100100100 in page 56 of Edo State of Nigeria Year 2020 Approved Budget.

"The sum of N20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Naira) only being the approvec appropriation entitlement of the Claimant by the 2021 Edo State Budgetary expenditure under institution's code: 011100100200 and ministry code: 011100100100 in page 56 of Edo State of Nigeria Year 2021 Approved Budget.

"The sum of N750,000,000.00 (Seven Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) being the budgetary provision as reflected in page 50 of the Edo State Government Year 2022 approved budget.

"The sum of #600,000,000.00 (Six Hundred Million Naira) only being the approved appropriation entitlement of the Claimant by the 2022 Edo State Budgetary expenditure under administrative code: 011100100200 in page 50 of Edo State of Nigeria Year 2022 Approved Budget.

"The sum of N1,300,000,000.00 (One Billion, Three Hundred Million Naira) only being the approved appropriation entitlement of the Claimant by the 2023 Edo State Budgetary expenditure under administrative code: 011100100200 in page 66 of Edo State of Nigerla Year 2023 Approved Budget

"The sum of #54,322,720.54 (Fifty Four Million, Three Hundred and Twenty Two Thousand, Seven Hundred and Twenty Naira, Fifty Four Kobo) only being the approved appropriation entitlement of the Claimant by the 2024 Edo State Budgetary expenditure under administrative code: 011100100200 in page 62 of Edo State of Nigeria Year 2024 Approved Budget:

"The total sum of N81,630.000.00 (Eighty-One Million, Six Hundred and Thirty Thousand Naira) as outstanding and unpaid travel allowances and out of pocket expenses for the year 2016.

"The total sum of N445,142,185.30 (Four Hundred and Forty-Five Million, One Hundred and Forty-Two Thousand, One Hundred and Eighty-Five Naira, Thirty Kobo) as outstanding and unpaid travel allowances and out of pocket expenses for the year 2017.

"The total sum of N317,035,096.00 (Three Hundred and Seventeen Million and Thirty-Five Thousand and Ninety-Six Naira) as outstanding and unpaid travel allowances and out of pocket expenses for the year 2018

"The total sum of N1,283,350,030.75 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Eighty- Three Million, Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand and Thirty Naira and Seven Five Kobo) as outstanding and unpaid travel allowances and out of pocket expenses for the year 2019.

"The total sum of N471,768,300.00 (Four Hundred and Seventy-One Million, Seven Hundred and Sixty-Eight Thousand and Three Hundred Naira) as outstanding and unpaid travel allowances and out of pocket expenses for the year 2020

"The total sum of N1,037,049,625.14 (One Billion and Thirty-Seven Million, Forty Nine Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty Five Naira, Fourteen Kobo) as outstanding and unpaid travel allowances and out of pocket expenses for the year 2021.

The total sum of N573,669,325.60 (Five Hundred and Seventy-Three Million, Six Hundred and Sixty-Nine Thousand and Three Hundred and Twenty Five Naira, Sixty Kobo) as outstanding and unpaid travel allowances and out of pocket expenses for the year 2022.

The total sum of N32,271,625.00 (Thirty-Two Million, Two Hundred and Seventy-One Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty Five Naira) only as outstanding and unpaid travel allowances and out of pocket expenses for the year 2023

The total sum of N4,010,000.00 (Four Million and Ten Thousand Naira) as outstanding and unpaid travel allowances and out of pocket expenses for the year 2024.

"The total sum of 8,282,507,532.07 (Eight Billion, Two Hundred and Eighty- Two Million, Five Hundred and Seven Thousand, Five Hundred and Thirty- Two Naira, Seven Kobo) as the Claimant outstanding travel allowances and other statutory allocations due to the Claimant within the period of his position as the Acting Governor of Edo State and other part of his position as the Elected Deputy Governct of Edo State for the perlod of elght (8) years."

Shaibu is also seeking the court to direct the defendants to "jointly and severally pay to the Claimant the sum of N500,000,000.00 as general damages for the injury suffered by the Claimant for the unlawful withholding of the Claimant's salaries, statutory allocations as Deputy Governor, confiscation of the Claimant's personal belongings and his unpaid-travel expenses and illegal withholding of Pension Rights and Entitlement of the Claimant as the Elected Deputy Governor of Edo State."

Shaibu will also be paid N50m as the cost of litigation incurred for this suit.

15/08/2025

August 15, 2025

Press Release

PDP Raises Alarm Over Plot by APC, INEC, and Police to Rig Edo By Elections

_PDP Condemns Vote Buying, Prewritten Results, and Violence in Strongholds_

…Says Governor Okpebholo, Gov. Uzodimma, and APC Chieftains Orchestrating State Capture

…Calls on President Tinubu to Order Security Forces to Remain Neutral

…Directs Members, Supporters, and Citizens to Resist and Protect Their Votes

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State wishes to alert the people of Edo, the security agencies, and the international community to an unfolding plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to subvert the will of the people in the forthcoming senatorial and House of Representatives by elections in Edo Central and Ovia Federal constituency.

Credible intelligence at our disposal shows a multi pronged plan involving the inducement of voters with cash, the smuggling of prewritten result sheets into collation centres with the active collusion of compromised INEC officials, and the use of the Nigerian Police Force to unlawfully deny duly accredited PDP agents access to collation centres. In addition, we have uncovered plans to unleash armed thugs to violently disrupt voting in known PDP strongholds.

We note with grave concern that Governor Monday Okpebholo and APC chieftains, notably Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, have effectively invaded Edo State to personally supervise and coordinate this assault on democracy. This brazen move is aimed at producing a violent and manipulated outcome that bears no resemblance to the true will of the people.

Democracy is about the will of the people freely expressed at the ballot box, not the will of desperate politicians imposed at gunpoint. We strongly condemn this reckless descent into electoral banditry and warn that the people of Edo State will not allow their mandate to be stolen through fear, intimidation, and manufactured results.

We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as Commander in Chief, to make an unambiguous public declaration directing all security agencies to resist partisan manipulation and to act in strict neutrality. The security forces must not, in any form, become the armed wing of the APC in Edo State.

In line with our commitment to defend democracy, the PDP has directed all its members, supporters, and well meaning citizens to stand firm, resist these undemocratic elements, and protect their votes by all and any means necessary permitted by law. The days of sitting idly by while political buccaneers steal the ballot are over.

We restate our faith in the people of Edo State and in their resolve to reject inducement, intimidation, and manipulation.

The PDP will stand shoulder to shoulder with them until their votes count and their voices are heard.

Signed:

Dr. Tony Aziegbemi
Chairman, Edo PDP Caretaker Committee

11/08/2025

Blessing Obazee pleads for help as she battles with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Auchi Polytechnic graduate, Blessing Obazee, has made a heartfelt appeal to the Edo State government and public spirited Nigerians for financial assistance to continue her medication for Rheumatoid Arthritis.

CT Naija Jack Obinyan

07/08/2025

Adams Oshiomole's spokesman has replied the Catholic Church, telling us that what his principal said on television was an "honest mistake".

But what he said on television was not said out of honest mistake but out of arrogant dishonesty. And this statement by his spokesman is equally arrogant and dishonest.

In the past, government took over our schools. Now, a member of the ruling party is laying false claim to Church property. And he calls this deliberate falsehood an honest mistake.

In a democracy, nothing belongs to government. All belongs to the people. The government would be acting like a thief by taking over or laying false claims to what belongs to the people.

The government is maigad. It would be morally reprehensible for government as maigad to act as landlord and turn the rightful owner into a tenant.

Our political landlords don't understand this fact. That is why they are laying false claims of ownership. That is why they are naming and renaming what belongs to the people without the consent of the people.

© Rev. Fr. Prof. Anthony Akinwale, OP

01/08/2025

August 1, 2025

PRESS STATEMENT

*Putting the Record Straight on the Benin-Asaba Expressway Reconstruction Project

*…Stop Deceiving Edo People, Nigerians — PDP Tells Okpebholo, APC*

When a government’s achievements exist only in press statements, it inevitably resorts to propaganda, half-truths, and outright falsehoods to cover its glaring failures. This is precisely the case with the Senator Monday Okpebholo-led administration, whose only visible milestone after nine months at the Dennis Osadebey Avenue remains a string of disjointed press briefings and photo ops — all designed to create a false impression of progress.

The latest attempt by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okpebholo to claim credit for the ongoing reconstruction of the Benin-Asaba Expressway, describing it as a product of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is not only dishonest and laughable, but a gross insult to the intelligence of the people of Edo State.

It has become necessary to set the record straight and expose this blatant distortion of facts by the APC-led government in Edo State.

Contrary to the propaganda being churned out by the Okpebholo administration, the Benin-Asaba Expressway reconstruction project was initiated, structured, and finalized under the immediate past PDP-led administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki. In January 2024, Governor Obaseki signed a landmark N228 billion concession agreement with Triple A Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, InfraCorp, and Africa Plus Partners for the comprehensive redevelopment of the expressway. The project falls under the Federal Government’s Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI).

This was not just another government contract — it was a well-thought-out Public-Private Partnership (PPP), anchored on a solid funding and implementation framework aimed at reducing pressure on public finances while unlocking long-term economic gains for Edo and Nigeria at large.

Only a leader with vision, capacity, and competence — like Obaseki — could conceptualize and midwife such a project. It is therefore shameful for a government that had no role in its conception to now desperately seek to appropriate the glory.

The strategic importance of the Benin-Asaba Expressway — linking the South-West, South-South, and South-East corridors — cannot be overstated. While the Federal Government provided regulatory approvals (as is required for federal roads), it stalled the project’s progress until it had successfully installed its preferred government in Edo State. This political maneuvering, at the expense of timely infrastructure delivery, speaks volumes of APC’s priorities.

Governor Okpebholo’s staged inspection tours and photo ops do not translate into actual work. It is baffling — but not surprising — that he would rather claim ownership of a project far beyond his conceptual and administrative capabilities than initiate any of his own.

We understand his dilemma: there are masters to please and people to deceive. But Edo people are wiser.

We urge Governor Okpebholo to focus on delivering quality, impactful, and people-oriented projects — not chasing shadows or basking in borrowed achievements.

Signed:

Chris Osa Nehikhare
Publicity Secretary,
Edo PDP Caretaker Committee

01/08/2025

01/08/2025

Peter Obi Hails Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, as a Beacon of Ingenuity and Legacy

31/07/2025

Benin Catholic Archdiocese debunks Oshiomhole’s claim: “St. Philomena College of Nursing Is not govt-owned”

The Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City has strongly refuted recent claims made by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, asserting that the St. Philomena College of Nursing Sciences is not a government-owned institution but is fully owned, funded, and managed by the Catholic church.

In a press conference held at the Archdiocesan Department of Social Communications on Wednesday, Rev. Fr. Jude Orah, Director of Social Communications, condemned the former governor’s statement as “entirely false” and an “unethical distortion of facts.”

Senator Oshiomhole, during a live broadcast on Arise News on July 26, 2025, had claimed that the College of Nursing located within the premises of St. Philomena Catholic Hospital in Benin City was “built, equipped and owned and funded by Edo State Government hundred per cent.”

The comment sparked public debate, especially coming shortly after a ₦15 million donation to the college by former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, on July 7.

In his statement, Fr. Orah noted that “St. Philomena Catholic Hospital and its academic arms, the School of Midwifery and the College of Nursing Sciences, have always been a mission of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City. They were neither built nor funded by the Edo State Government.”

Founded in 1947 by Catholic missionaries, the hospital and its institutions have, according to Fr. Orah, operated for over seven decades without any budgetary allocation or subvention from the state government.

“It is the sacrifice of the Church, the commitment of religious workers, and the generosity of donors like Mr. Peter Obi that have sustained these institutions,” he said.

The Catholic Church’s health and educational apostolate, Fr. Orah emphasized, is a “living ministry of healing and love,” rooted in its spiritual and moral obligation to serve humanity, particularly the poor and vulnerable, without regard for religion, ethnicity, or political affiliation.

He further accused Senator Oshiomhole of attempting to politicize a charitable act and engaging in “political revisionism” that trades in falsehood. “To suggest that a Church-owned facility is ‘government-owned’ and ‘government-funded’, simply to downplay a charitable act by a political opponent, is not only unethical but profoundly damaging,” he stated.

The Church has called on Senator Oshiomhole to retract his statement and consult the Archdiocese for proper information before making further public declarations.

“Facts are sacred,” Fr. Orah said, warning that “when truth is wounded, it must be healed like a patient in the very wards of St. Philomena.”

The Catholic Archdiocese also used the occasion to encourage the media to uphold professional standards by fact-checking public statements, especially those with potential to mislead or tarnish the legacy of faith-based institutions.

St. Philomena Catholic Hospital, according to the Archdiocese, remains a “house of healing, a school of mercy, and a sanctuary of hope,” with no political ownership or affiliations. Its mission, Fr. Orah concluded, “is not for sale.”