Edo 2024: “If I Spend ₦10m on Federal Roads, I’ll Claim ₦20m from FG” – APC’s Monday Okpebholo

Edo State’s All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Monday Okpebholo, has pledged to repair interstate roads in the state and seek reimbursement from the federal government, even doubling the amount spent. Okpebholo, who is gearing up for the September 21, 2024, governorship election, made the statement during a recent interview with BBC Pidgin.

Addressing concerns over the deteriorating condition of federal roads in Edo, Okpebholo criticized the current administration’s inaction, asserting that a serious leader would not wait for federal intervention before fixing such critical infrastructure. He pointed to former governor Adams Oshiomhole as an example, noting that Oshiomhole used state resources to repair federal roads and later reclaimed the funds from the federal government.

“When Adams Oshiomhole was governor, he used Edo state money to repair federal roads for the benefit of Edo people,” Okpebholo said. “If I were in office, if I spent N10 million fixing federal roads, I would claim N20 million from the federal government.”

This remark was seen as a direct response to current governor Godwin Obaseki’s handling of the situation. Obaseki has previously stated that his administration cannot repair federal roads such as the Benin-Sapele and Benin-Auchi highways due to what he described as a “confusing position” from the federal government regarding state involvement in such projects.

The issue came to a head in July 2023 when Obaseki’s convoy was stuck on the muddy Benin-Sapele road, sparking public outcry. Despite repeated calls for federal attention to the roads, Obaseki has argued that the state cannot take on the responsibility without clarity on reimbursement from the federal government.