Okpebholo announces infrastructure boost in Edo

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has promised to lead an infrastructural revolution in Edo State.

Okpebholo made the pledge at a special reception in his honour held in Ewatto, the Esan South East Local Government Area, on Saturday.

The event followed his recent victory at the election petition tribunal and was organised by philanthropist, Dr Lemon Ikpea.

In a statement on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the governor thanked the Edo people for their support and pledged to deliver meaningful development.

The governor said, “The people of Edo State will not regret voting for me as their governor. I am happy today that I am in a winning party. A party that was rejected by all has now become the party that everybody wants to join. APC has come to stay as the government at the centre is APC.

“Very soon, there will be a lot of defections into the APC. People will move and cross carpet from PDP, LP and other opposition parties into the APC, and that will be the beginning of South South keying into the reform agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Today, I am happy and proud to say that I am a son to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I am also proud to say I carry uncommon grace and uncommon transformation, which I am already using to transform and develop Edo State.”

He added that his administration would focus on constructing motorable roads, providing clean water, and reducing travel time across the state.

“Our development is also covering other neighbouring states because South-South must speak with one voice as we approach 2027,” he said.

He also appreciated monarchs for their support.

“It is not easy to run two elections in a year and win two offices. I give God the glory. I am not the talking type and never interested in politics, but I really want to develop Edo State.

“In 2021, we looked for an Esan man who would contest for Senate, and we did not find anyone who wanted to contest under the All Progressives Congress as everyone wanted to contest under the Peoples Democratic Party,” he added.

Recalling the motivation behind his entry into politics, Okpebholo said he lost his sister to illness caused by unsafe drinking water.

“The drive to contest came in 2022 when some people came to appeal to me to contest for the Senate, and our discussion became an eye-opener, which led me to contest for the Senate seat.

“I lost a beloved sister due to bad water, which she consumed, and I vowed to ensure good water is available across the state.

“I am really going to ensure good water runs in Edo State. Our development will not just be roads, schools, healthcare, and providing the people with good drinking water across the state,” Okpebholo stated.

He also visited the ongoing medical centre project donated by Ikpea in Idumuiyase, Ewatto, where he toured the facility.