Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Tuesday, officially flagged off the construction of a 14-kilometre road project in Uhunwonde Local Government Area. The new road will link the hometown of immediate past Governor Godwin Obaseki with nine neighbouring communities a project expected to transform connectivity, ease transportation of agricultural produce, and boost local economic activities in the area.
Addressing an enthusiastic crowd, Governor Okpebholo expressed appreciation to the elders and residents for their faith in his administration, reaffirming his commitment to delivering on campaign promises.
“I want to thank the elders of this community,” the Governor said. “Out of nine commissioners in my cabinet, Uhunwonde alone produced two the Commissioners for Justice and for Energy and Water Resources.”
He recalled the fervent appeals from women and community leaders during his campaign for the road’s rehabilitation. “I told you then to vote for me, and you did. You voted for your son before, and he abandoned you. If I have a son who forgets me, I will not pray for him,” he remarked pointedly, drawing cheers from the audience.
Governor Okpebholo declared that this flag-off was the first of several development interventions for the area, commending the contractor’s brand-new equipment on site as evidence of capacity and readiness to deliver a quality project.
On broader politics, Okpebholo used the occasion to reaffirm his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, predicting a sweeping victory in Edo during the 2027 presidential election.
“I’m expecting 2.5 million votes for President Tinubu in 2027. And I want to tell you, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is solidly behind you.”
Taking a jab at past administrations, the Governor addressed the infamous “Edo no be Lagos” rhetoric, asserting that Edo is now experiencing real development under progressive leadership.
“Before now, when people said ‘Edo no be Lagos’, we did not develop. But today, we are developing. We have turned Edo into Lagos in terms of development. You can see a flyover. You are no longer dreaming it you’re seeing it.”
He further cited key infrastructural milestones such as the ongoing Temboga Road in Benin City and the recently rehabilitated Benin-Ekpoma Road, noting that a journey that once took several hours now takes just 45 minutes.
He didn’t miss the chance to take another swipe at his predecessor:
“That’s the same road where the former government shamelessly placed a signboard saying, ‘This is Federal Road. Bear with us.’ Today, we have done the road.”
The event also featured goodwill messages from notable stakeholders, including the Commissioner for Energy and Water Resources, Dr. Washington Osifo; Uhunwonde Council Chairman, Hon. Iredia Benjamin; Edo Assembly Member, Hon. Kaycee Uhunoma Osamwonyi; and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works.
When completed, the 14-kilometre road is expected to drastically improve mobility, facilitate trade, and enhance the quality of life for thousands of residents across the ten benefiting communities.
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