Okpebholo Threatens Arrest Of Abandoned Road Contractor

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has threatened to arrest the contractor handling part of the Benin-Abraka Road over the alleged abandonment of the project.

The governor made this known on Friday while addressing members of the All Progressives Congress in Orhionmwon and Uhunmwode Local Government Areas of the state during his ongoing tour ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to a statement released on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Ebojele, Okpebholo said his administration was concerned about the poor condition of the road but had been limited by contractual arrangements made under the previous administration.

The governor explained that the road project had been awarded to two contractors. While one contractor had continued with construction and was said to have completed about 75 per cent of the assigned section, the other contractor had allegedly stopped work.

Okpebholo claimed that the contractor who abandoned the project had received payment from the previous administration before he assumed office.

He said the situation had made movement difficult for motorists using the road and had generated complaints from residents and other road users.

The governor said he had initially chosen not to make public comments about the road project, despite being aware of the situation. However, he said the complaints he received during his visit to the area made it necessary for him to address the matter.

Okpebholo stated that his administration would take action against the contractor responsible for the abandoned section of the road, including the possibility of arrest.

The governor was accompanied by APC leaders and other government officials during the tour, which also took him to Iguomo-Nisi in Uhunmwode Local Government Area.

At the gathering, Okpebholo interacted with party members and sought their support for APC candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Edo State APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, also praised party members for their turnout during the governor’s visit.

Tenebe thanked voters for their support for the party during the last local government elections and urged them to remain committed to the APC.

He further called on party members across the state to work towards the party’s target of securing 2.5 million votes in Edo State for President Bola Tinubu in the January 2027 elections.