A war of words has broken out between the Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) and Edo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, following the commissioner's rebuttal of CRPP's criticism of Governor Monday Okpebholo's administration. At a press conference in Benin City on June 11, Afegbua challenged CRPP's claim that 50 children were injured during a stampede at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Children's Day, stating instead that 17 children were affected by teargas discharged by private security personnel. He said 15 of the affected children were discharged the same day, with the remaining two released the following day. Afegbua dismissed CRPP's narrative as false and accused the coalition of spreading misinformation. In response, CRPP leaders Dr. Samson Isibor and Nka Waribe labeled Afegbua a "jester commissioner," accusing him of prioritizing government defense over addressing real governance issues. They criticized his tone and conduct, saying he had abandoned civil discourse and sought to suppress opposition voices. CRPP reiterated its concerns over security, youth employment, and food production under the Okpebholo administration and demanded Afegbua's removal, arguing that he has damaged the government's public image. The coalition called on the commissioner to follow the example of his predecessor, Hon. Paul Ohonbamu, whom they described as diplomatic and effective in communication. No official mediation efforts have been announced.
The commissioner's dismissal of documented public incidents as falsehoods risks normalizing denial over accountability. CRPP's demand for his removal stems not from policy disagreement but from a perceived shift from communication to confrontation. When a government spokesperson labels critical civic feedback as misinformation without structural response, public trust erodes. The focus on optics over remedy weakens the administration's claim of transparency.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →
