02/02/2026
E DON SHELE 📣
REJOINDER: Political Smear Campaigns Will Not Derail Akoko-Edo Governance_
The attention of the general public has been drawn to a series of misleading financial allegations circulating on social media, suggesting that the Chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government Council, Hon. Alabi Bliss Oshionogue diverted a 100 million naira fund for a Christmas package, which was alleged to have been provided by the Executive Governor of Edo State, Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo and shared the sum of 40 million naira with the Chairman of the Edo State Local Government Service Commission, Rt. Hon. Kabiru Adjoto. The allegations against him are false and politically motivated against the ruling party.
These allegations are false, malicious, and politically motivated, designed to misinform the public and undermine the integrity of responsible leaders who have demonstrated commitment to practical governance.
Let it be known that at no point was any fund misappropriated, nor was any illegal sharing of funds carried out by the Council Chairman.
It is on record that the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akoko-Edo Local Government, Hon. Monday Oseh alongside the Secretary of the Local Government, Hon. T**a Okomayin, deceived a group of individuals into the council secretariat under the guise of party faithfuls and during the incident, the Council Chairman and some aides were confined to their offices and subjected to public harassment. This regrettable act was later publicised through a viral video where questions were raised regarding council finances in a manner that suggested a premeditated attempt to embarrass and discredit the council leadership.
It must be emphasized that the Council Chairman is not the sole signatory to council accounts, making the allegations of unilateral withdrawal of ₦73 million, which was allegedly sent to his private Zenith account, are both misleading and illogical.
Governance is a collective administrative process governed by financial regulations and institutional checks and balances.
Furthermore, the forceful seizure of the Chairman’s official vehicle and other items in a commando-style operation, allegedly based on an unverified directive from the state government, further underscores the extent to which some individuals are willing to go in pursuit of personal and political interests.
We therefore call on the leadership of the party at all levels to urgently investigate these actions to determine whether they align with the principles and discipline of the party or represent an orchestrated attempt to destabilize the council and the party at the local government level for selfish gains.
Internal party disagreements should be resolved through established party mechanisms, not through public spectacles that tarnish the image of the party, the Governor, and the government.
The people of Akoko-Edo deserve stability, unity, and focused leadership, not distractions driven by ambition.
The true battle at hand is not about the development of Akoko-Edo Local Government, but about personal political interests being pursued at the expense of good governance and the SHINE agenda of the people's Governor of Edo State.
However, the council leadership remains committed to delivering the dividends of democracy to the people in a peaceful, transparent, and civilised manner.
The public is urged to disregard these unfounded allegations and support the ongoing efforts of the council and state leadership in building a stronger and more prosperous Akoko-Edo.
Ajayi Julius
Chief Press Secretary to Akoko-Edo Council Chairman.
30-1-2026.
