Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, marking his first 100 days in office, has lauded President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, describing him as more courageous than former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Speaking in Benin yesterday, Okpebholo praised Tinubu’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it a decisive move in the nation’s best interest.
Representing Tinubu at the launch of the 125-kilometre Benin-Asaba Expressway reconstruction, Okpebholo emphasized the significance of the project for regional development.
The project will expand the road to ten lanes between Ring Road, Benin, and Benin Bypass, and six lanes onward to Asaba, Delta State’s capital, with a 30-month completion target.
The event attracted key dignitaries, including Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Delta State Deputy Governor, Chief Monday Onyeme, representing Governor Sheriff Oborevwori; Works Minister, Senator Dave Umahi; and Olufunso Adebiyi, Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Works.
Also in attendance were Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Edo Deputy Governor Dr. Dennis Idahosa, Edo House of Assembly Speaker Chief Blessing Agbebaku, and Adeniran Ajakaiye, Managing Director of Africa Plus Partners Nigeria Limited, the road’s developer.
Edo governor said: “Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and I were contesting in the last elections, but President Bola Ahmed Tinubu asked Comrade Oshiomhole to bring me to his office, which he did. President Tinubu loves Edo State so much, such that any opportunity I had with him, the first thing he would ask me would be: ‘How is Edo?’ The second question would be: ‘What of the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II?’
“The Honourable Ministers (Wale Edun and Dave Umahi), please tell President Bola Tinubu that we will take his 2027 re-election campaigns to other states of Nigeria. 2027 is a big deal in Edo State. 2027 is sealed for President Tinubu. 18 over 18 (Edo Local Government Areas), we are going to deliver for Mr. President, because we once had President from the Niger Delta Region (Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, from Otuoke in Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa State), he never thought about us in Edo State, and he never remembered that there was this part of the crude oil and gas-rich region.
“Also tell President Tinubu that what he did in Rivers State is a welcome development, to ensure peace in the Niger Delta. The decision he took to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State was in the best interest of Nigerians. When crude oil pipelines in Rivers State were being blown by militants, what did Nigerians expect Mr. President to do on the nation’s economic sustenance?
“The man (ex-President Jonathan) criticising President Tinubu did not take similar step, when we heard that they were going to kidnap the Chibok girls. It is better for a President to be proactive. The single decision taken by President Tinubu saved the economy of Nigeria.
“When Jonathan was Nigeria’s President, the total annual budget of Nigeria was not more than N1.6 trillion, but the N1.6 trillion is what we are sharing monthly in this nation today. That is a man that has vision. Help tell my father (President Tinubu) thank you very much.
“I thank President Tinubu on his initiative on the reconstruction of the Benin-Asaba Expressway, through Private-Public Partnership (PPP), and for not putting Nigeria’s money into the project. When a businessman invests in a project, he will ensure that there is completion.
“On the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Super-highway, I also want to express gratitude to President Tinubu. Who else can do that? The son of Niger Delta (Dr. Jonathan) did not remember the capital-intensive project. President Tinubu is embarking on many people-oriented projects throughout Nigeria. I thank President Tinubu for being a father to the nation.”
Okpebholo also described Edo as a unique state, highlighting its role as the gateway to the nation. He emphasized that the condition of Edo’s roads directly impacts both the state and the national economy, stressing the need for continuous infrastructure development.
