Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has completed remedial work on the long-neglected Benin-Iruekpen federal road, significantly easing movement for motorists. However, in what appears to be a veiled attack on his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, Okpebholo criticized past administrations for neglecting federal roads and merely putting up signboards that read, “This is a federal road, bear with us.”
Speaking during an inspection tour of the expressway, Okpebholo boasted about his administration’s achievements, contrasting them with what he described as the failures of previous leadership. He declared that under his government, “Edo roads belong to Edo people,” taking a direct swipe at Obaseki’s handling of infrastructure.
Aligning himself with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Okpebholo claimed his intervention in road repairs would reduce travel time and lower the cost of goods and services in Edo. His remarks have fueled political tensions, with critics questioning whether his efforts are genuine governance or a calculated attempt to undermine his predecessor.
Beyond the expressway, Okpebholo inspected other road projects and erosion control sites, further emphasizing his commitment to fixing problems he says were ignored by past administrations. However, with Edo’s political landscape heating up, many are wondering—are these projects about the people, or are they just another battleground in Edo’s power struggle?
