Okpebholo Dismisses Rumoured Rift With Deputy

Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpeholo, on Tuesday cleared the air of any rift between him and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa as being insinuated in some quarters.

Governor Okpebholo said every decision he takes as governor always were taken in consultation with his deputy.

The governor stated this at a thanksgiving service to mark Idahosa’s 45th birthday in Benin City, on Tuesday.

The service which was held at the Living Faith Church in Adesuwa had several top political bigwigs in the state in attendance.

“I have absolute confidence in him, and we have been working very closely, we take decisions together. When you hear Akpakorescue, there is an inside discussion before we execute. Before we execute anything, we discuss and agree and sometimes, he will tell me, remember where we are coming from, remember your ways. So, I see him as a partner and I believe in him.

“By the grace of God, I still believe that God is going to take him higher than this. I want to say a big congratulations to him and the grace of God will continue to rest upon him,” Okpebholo said.

Speaking, the celebrant, Idahosa recalled how he struggled in his early life after the death of his father at age six.

He attributed his political successes to the grace of God when he was appointed Commissioner at the age of 34.

The deputy governor said the challenges he faced while growing up spurred his philanthropic gesture to empower women and youths.

According to him, “My father died when I was just six years old. It was my mother that stood by all of us.”

A former Secretary to the Edo State Government, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, praised the humility of Idahosa.

“I will describe him with the experience I had with him. When I approached him to support former President Goodluck Jonathan, he said he cannot remain with the Edo State Government as Commissioner and support the PDP. He had to resign his appointment to support Jonathan.”