The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming Edo election, Monday Okpehbolo has shocked not a few with his strange revelation that he aims to double the cost of repairing the federal government roads if he repairs them under his administration.
The Edo election holds on September 21.
In a rare interview aired in BBC pidgin, the APC candidate who has been accused of shying away from interviews shocked listeners with his brand of FG-state working arrangement while discussing the dearth of infrastructure in the state.
Edo State has one of the worst federal roads regarded as inter-state roads in the country, serving as death traps and derailing economic activities.
Major failed portions have often been used for kidnapping with almost a daily report of abduction on one of the hottest and bustiest Nigerian roads.
In July 2023, the governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was ridiculed and mocked when his convoy got stuck in the muddy part of the Benin-Sapele road in the state capital.
Video clips of the incident appeared on social media and elicited reactions with the governor blaming the federal government.
Yet as the election draws closer, Okpehbolo sought to shake off accusations that he’s scared of facing the media by opting to speak in pidgin.
He blamed the outgoing PDP governor for the deplorable federal government roads across the state.
In the BBC Pidgin in circulation, Okpehbolo said the excuse that a road belongs to the federal government can only be given by an “unserious man”.
He revealed that a governor before Obaseki (Adams Oshiomhole) had used the state resources to repair federal roads. He however failed to clarify if the money was recouped or if Oshimhole doubled the amount while collecting it from the FG.
He said, “When Adams Oshiomhole was there (governor), he was using our own Edo state money for those roads (federal roads) for Edo people.
“I have seen several governors that have done that; they recouped their money back.
“If I were him (Obaseki), if I put 10 million there (on federal roads), I will claim 20 million from the federal government.”
He however failed to justify if that was not fraud or how he will escape the federal government assessment and valuation before paying back such money.
Social Media users have wasted no time to brand him dishonest for taking what many have said is uncanny.
Okpebholo however promised to provide “enabling environment for investors to come in” pointing out that “the more investors come in, then our economy will grow.”