…As Discontent Grows Over Reinstatement of Staff Indicted for Sexual Harassment, Fraud
The Edo State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has criticized the Senator Monday Okpebholo-led administration for failing to fulfill its N500 million monthly subvention pledge to Ambrose Alli University (AAU).
In a statement, the Publicity Secretary of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, Chris Osa Nehikhare, condemned the state government’s failure to provide the promised financial support to AAU, despite repeated assurances.
“For the third consecutive month, Senator Monday Okpebholo has failed to redeem his N500 million monthly subvention pledge to the state-owned university,” Nehikhare stated.
He accused the Okpebholo administration of opposing the restructuring efforts initiated by former Governor Godwin Obaseki, which aimed to ensure AAU’s financial self-sufficiency and long-term sustainability.
“In a desperate bid to score cheap political points, Okpebholo had promised a N500 million monthly subvention to AAU. However, three months later, not a single kobo has been disbursed to the institution,” Nehikhare added.
The PDP spokesperson further revealed that as of March 7, 2025, the staff and management of AAU had yet to receive their February salaries, deepening concerns over the administration’s commitment to education.
The Edo PDP also raised alarm over rising tensions within the AAU community following the reinstatement of certain staff members previously indicted for serious offenses, including sexual harassment, abuse of students, examination malpractice, extortion, and certificate racketeering.
“The university community—including lecturers, students, and other stakeholders—has expressed outrage, insisting that individuals with well-documented and proven records of sexual misconduct should not be reinstated,” Nehikhare said.
The PDP further criticized the Okpebholo administration for what it described as a pattern of unfulfilled promises and governance failures across key sectors.
“We are deeply concerned that the past few months under Senator Okpebholo have been marked by empty promises and regression across various sectors of the state’s economy,” Nehikhare said.
He highlighted a sharp decline in security, citing the killing of at least 35 people in the past two weeks, as well as a worsening healthcare crisis where even basic medical supplies are reportedly unavailable.
“The deterioration in the education sector has now spilled over into other critical areas, including infrastructure, power, and technology. These setbacks are even more disheartening given the unprecedented progress recorded in the state over the past eight years,” he added.
The PDP called on the Okpebholo administration to urgently fulfill its financial commitments to AAU, address governance failures, and take decisive action against unethical practices within the university system.