Senator Monday Okpebholo, who is the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the governorship election in Edo State scheduled for September 21, has urged his opponent, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to withdraw from the race.
Okpebholo, who represents the Edo Central senatorial district in the National Assembly, has criticized Ighodalo’s role as Economic Adviser under Governor Godwin Obaseki, suggesting that Ighodalo’s tenure contributed to the state’s massive debt.
During a recent meeting with members of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Benin City, Okpebholo expressed his concerns about the state’s financial management under Obaseki’s administration.
He argued that Ighodalo, who played a key role in economic planning for the state, should not continue pursuing political office given the financial difficulties that have emerged. Okpebholo asserted that if he were in Ighodalo’s position, he would reconsider running for office, as the previous administration he advised had not succeeded in managing the state’s economy effectively.
According to Okpebholo, Edo State’s debt has ballooned to over N573 billion, a significant increase from the N43 billion debt inherited from previous administrations. He highlighted that despite an increase in monthly allocations from the Federation Account—from N3.1 billion to N3.3 billion during Adams Oshiomhole’s tenure to between N11.1 billion and nothing during Obaseki’s term—there has been little tangible development. This discrepancy, Okpebholo claims, reflects poor financial management and corruption under the current administration.
The APC candidate criticized the Obaseki-led government for unprecedented levels of theft and mismanagement, urging voters to reject Ighodalo and the PDP to prevent further misuse of state funds. He warned that if re-elected, Obaseki might not transfer power to a new administration due to alleged financial improprieties. Okpebholo has called on the electorate to use their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to punish the PDP and its candidate on election day.
In his campaign, Okpebholo has positioned himself as a more capable alternative, promising to bring about positive changes in governance. He emphasized his experience as a federal lawmaker and his commitment to improving the state’s economy and governance. He also assured farmers that his administration would focus on empowering them as key stakeholders in addressing food insecurity and improving agricultural productivity.
As the election approaches, Okpebholo continues to advocate for transparency and accountability, urging voters to hold the current administration accountable for its alleged failings.
