CRPP and Kassim Afegbua Clash Over Criticism of Okpebholo’s Administration

The leadership of the Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) and Edo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, are engaged in a heated exchange over the former’s ongoing criticism of Governor Monday Okpebholo.

According to DAILY POST, Afegbua accused CRPP of spreading false and unfounded allegations against the governor during a press conference held in Benin City on June 11, 2026.

He specifically targeted the group’s critique of the Children’s Day celebration that took place on May 27, 2026, at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, where several students collapsed amid a stampede.

The stampede reportedly occurred after bouncers from a private security outfit at the venue allegedly fired pepper spray and tear gas to quell unruly behavior by some male students toward their female counterparts.

Afegbua stated at the press conference that only 17 students were affected by the tear gas, not the 50 claimed by the group.

He added, “With reference to the recent tear gas incident at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium during the Children’s Day celebration on May 27, 2026, only 17 children were affected and not 50 as alleged.”

“All 17 children affected by the incident were promptly taken to the hospital on the same day, with 15 discharged after treatment, while the remaining two were discharged the following day,” he said. “How could Dr. Samson Isibor, National Chairman of CRPP, be peddling such falsehoods just to attract attention? The records are there for everyone to verify.”

In response, CRPP said its criticism of the state government’s performance is intended not to seek favor but to prompt the governor to provide better governance for Edo State residents.

A statement signed by Dr. Samson Isibor, National Chairman, and Nka Waribe, National Secretary of CRPP, accused the commissioner of failing to take his role as the state government’s image maker seriously.

“Our attention has been drawn to a press conference held on Wednesday, June 11, 2026, in the office of the Edo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, at which he reportedly called us unprintable names,” the statement read. “To us at CRPP, the so-called press conference is no more than a comedy by a jester commissioner, who has never treated his job as the image maker of a government with the seriousness it deserves, but a praise singer who goes about abusing anyone who has a divergent opinion of the government’s performance.”

“Rather than joining heads with other members of his Exco to tackle the main issues that affect Edo people, Afegbua has thrown decency and civility to the wind in a manner unbecoming of a civil Commissioner, always abusing and intimidating our leadership, always accusing us of expecting settlement from the state government.”

“Let it be known to Afegbua that we are too decent to disappoint the masses and condescend to accepting a settlement from a non-performing government.”

“CRPP also condemns Afegbua for speaking from both sides of his mouth. This is a man who, in 2022, attacked former Governor Godwin Obaseki without ceasing just because he was not given an appointment, and no one condemned him then.”

“But now that he is an appointee, he no longer sees anything good in criticizing the government he serves.”

“We would once again remind Afegbua that the more he goes about abusing the leadership of our Coalition or any other opposition just because we criticize Governor Monday Okpebholo, the more he portrays the government negatively.”

“We challenge Afegbua to go round the state to sample the opinion of the masses on their assessment of Governor Okpebholo’s performance on security, employment and food production. We are sure that Afegbua will shed tears at the result he will get,” he stated.

CRPP called for the commissioner’s dismissal, alleging he failed to positively market the government that appointed him and instead portrayed it as intolerant of opposition.

It urged the commissioner to learn from his predecessor, Hon Paul Ohonbamu, describing him as an intelligent and sound activist who marketed his boss effectively, was diplomatic, and maintained good human relations.