In the lead-up to the Edo gubernatorial election, political tensions have flared as former House of Representatives member Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma has come to the defence of the APC candidate Senator Monday Okpebholo, dismissing allegations that the senator is “unschooled” as nothing more than “cheap blackmail.”
Agbonayinma, in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday, voiced his support for Okpebholo, emphasising the senator’s contributions to his constituency and his rise within the political ranks due to his commitment to the people.
“Monday Okpebholo is a senator today because of what he did for his people as an Edo Son who wanted to help his people. When he contested for the Senate, Edo people came out en masse to give him that vote and today you want to say he is not well schooled, that is nothing but a cheap blackmail. We are looking for somebody with empathy.
“Okpebholo is a complete gentleman that doesn’t make noise but works. Go to his place and see what he did before and after he became a politician. He is the senate committee chairman of procurement, that is group A, one of the highest committees in the senate. You think if he doesn’t have anything upstairs, they would give him that position?”
The former lawmaker also addressed criticism regarding Okpebholo’s limited media appearances, particularly his absence from studios to defend himself publicly.
He explained that Okpebholo’s schedule is packed with grassroots activities, highlighting his commitment to direct engagement with the electorate.
“If you look at his itinerary, distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo is a grassroot shooter. He has been on ground, door to door, i was even shocked that this man was moving day and night, walking and reaching out to the clergymen, market women and even to opposition parties. So, everybody has what is called the division of labour”
Agbonayinma clarified that he was not speaking as Okpebholo’s spokesperson but as a concerned Edo state chieftain who wants the best for his people, expressing disappointment with the current state of Edo, which he attributed to poor leadership.
“I am here in my own capacity as a chieftain and as a son of Edo because I want the best for the people and without missing words, Edo state today, has been taken backwards as a result of bad leadership.” he lamented.
He also touched on the issue of federal allocations and internally generated revenue in Edo, asserting that despite the significant funds available, the state has not made the expected progress.
Agbonayinma did not hold back in criticising Governor Godwin Obaseki’s recent decision to pay a ₦70,000 minimum wage, questioning the timing of the move.
He suggested that the wage increase was politically motivated, intended to curry favor with voters ahead of the election.
“Edo federal allocation before was little but today, Edo state is getting so much billions. Internal generated revenues have grown. Oshiomhole started it because he was with us. Look at the schools Oshiomhole bult, the hospitals, that hospital is a five-star hospital. With what is happening today as the country has been bastardised by corruption. It is not president Tinubu that brought hardship on us, it is some of us Nigerians, some of those that have stolen the wealth of this country.
“How much is a bag of rice? What can 70 thousand naira do? To me, it is barely not enough. People are suffering. The problem we are suffering is that the money that is supposed to be used for tomorrow has been stolen yesterday. Obaseki did well for the 70 thousand naira but there is a caveat to it. He did that because the election was around the corner. He did it to catch the people. Why was he not paying it all this while?”
Agbonayinma further called for greater accountability in the use of Edo state’s resources, asserting that the funds generated by the state could have made Edo one of the best states in Nigeria.
“The money that was generated, where did it go? The money that Edo state has generated is enough to put Edo state as one of the best in this country, rather, it has taken us backwards because of corruption.”
Chioma Kalu
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