Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has faulted the allegation that he bribed three members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State House of Assembly with N200 million each to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Okpebholo, in a statement via his counsel, Mr. Dr. Blessing Agbomhere, insisted that the allegations are wholly false and a calculated attempt to damage his hard-earned reputation.

Okpebholo insists that he has been adjudged by all well-meaning Edo indigenes and Nigerians in general to be one of the few state governors who is doing excellently well and managing the state’s funds prudently.

He added that before becoming the Governor of Edo State, he served in the Senate, where he performed his legislative duties impeccably without blemishes, hence he was nominated by the APC as their candidate for the governorship of Edo State, a position he now occupies.

He further stated that he has never been arrested, charged, or convicted for financial impropriety or any offense whatsoever in Nigeria or elsewhere, and will never engage in bribery or any other financial impropriety.

Okpebholo, through his lawyers, remarked that he neither solicited nor possessed any prior knowledge of the lawmakers’ defection.

As a form of remedy, the legal team of Blessing Agbomhere and Partners urged Chris Osa Nehikhare, Edo State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, and a chieftain of the party, Mr. Shedrach Udugbai, to immediately tender an unreserved apology to him following defamatory remarks made by them at various times and on different platforms.