Political tensions escalated ahead of the Edo gubernatorial election after former House of Representatives member Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma came to the aid of APC candidate Senator Monday Okpebholo, dismissing allegations that the senator was “uneducated” as nothing more than “cheap blackmail”.
Agbonayinma expressed his support for Okpebholo in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday, stressing the Senator’s contributions to his constituency and his rise in politics because of his commitment to the people.
“Monday Okpebholo is a senator today because he did something for his people as an Edo son who wanted to help his people. When he ran for the Senate, Edo people came in droves to give him that vote and to say today that he is not well educated is nothing but cheap blackmail. We are looking for someone with empathy.
“Okpebholo is a real gentleman who doesn’t make noise but works. Go to him and see what he has done before and after his time as a politician. He is the chairman of the Senate Procurement Committee, that is Group A, one of the highest committees in the Senate. Do you think if he had nothing to do up there, they would give him this position?”
The former MP also addressed criticism of Okpebholo’s limited media appearances, particularly his absence from studios to publicly defend himself.
He explained that Okpebholo’s schedule was packed with grassroots activities, which underlined his commitment to direct dialogue with the electorate.
“If you look at his travel schedule, you can see that Senator Monday Okpebholo is a grassroots gunman. He is on the ground, door to door. I was even shocked that this man was out day and night, walking and contacting clergy, market women and even opposition parties. So everyone has what is called a division of labour.”
Agbonayinma clarified that he was not speaking as a spokesman for Okpebholos, but as a concerned chief of Edo State who wants the best for his people. He expressed his disappointment with the current state of Edo, which he attributed to poor leadership.
“I am here in my capacity as a chief and as a son of Edo because I want the best for the people and without words I have to say that Edo State has suffered a setback today because of poor leadership,” he lamented.
He also addressed the issue of federal allocations and internally generated revenue in Edo, noting that despite the considerable resources available, the state has not made the expected progress.
Agbonayinma did not hold back from criticising Governor Godwin Obaseki’s recent decision to introduce a minimum wage of 70,000 naira and questioned the timing of the measure.
He said the wage increase was politically motivated and was intended to win voters’ favor before the elections.
“Before, federal grants to Edo were small but today Edo State is getting so many billions. Domestic revenue has increased. Oshiomhole started this because he was with us. Look at the schools that Oshiomhole built, the hospitals, this hospital is a five-star hospital. What is happening today is that the country has been corrupted by corruption. It is not President Tinubu who has brought hardship to us, it is some of us Nigerians, some of those who have stolen the wealth of this country.
“How much is a sack of rice? What can 70,000 naira do? For me, that is hardly enough. The people are suffering. Our problem is that the money that was supposed to be used for tomorrow was stolen yesterday. Obaseki did well with the 70,000 naira, but there is a caveat. He did it because the elections were around the corner. He did it to trap the people. Why didn’t he pay it all this time?”
Agbonayinma also called for greater accountability in the use of Edo State’s resources, stressing that the resources generated by the state could have made Edo one of the best states in Nigeria.
“Where has the money that was generated gone? The money that Edo State has generated is enough to make the state one of the best in the country. In fact, it has set us back because of corruption.”
Chioma Kalu
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