Benin-Abraka Road: Okpebholo Threatens to Arrest Contractor

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has threatened to arrest the contractor handling a section of the Benin-Abraka Road for allegedly abandoning the project after receiving payment from the previous administration.

He was speaking to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Orhionmwon and Uhunmwode local government areas during his ongoing tour to strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The governor said he had taken a decision to address the condition of the road but was constrained by contractual agreements entered into by the previous administration.

He said the road was awarded to two contractors, with one of them currently making progress on its section, which he said was about 75 per cent complete.

According to him, the second contractor, whom he alleged was a friend of Obaseki, had abandoned the section assigned to the company despite receiving payment.

“Following the agreement that was signed by Obaseki’s administration, that road construction project was paid for before I became governor. Despite the payment by the previous administration, the contractor still abandoned the road, allowing motorists to suffer untold hardship passing through the road,” Okpebholo said.

He added: “That road was given to two contractors. One of them is working and is doing his job and has gotten up to 75 per cent completion, while the other, who is a friend to Obaseki, has abandoned his section and has become the problem causing hardship on the road.”

The governor said he had previously avoided commenting publicly on the project but was compelled to address the matter after hearing complaints during his visit.

“Those in the diaspora don’t know what is happening and for me as the governor, I never wanted to speak on the issue of this Benin-Abraka Road, but what I heard today has prompted me to speak on the issue. I am going to arrest that contractor,” he said.

Okpebholo was accompanied by APC leaders and senior government officials during the visit, which also took him to Iguomo-Nisi in Uhunmwode Local Government Area, where he interacted with party members and mobilised support for APC candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Edo APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, commended party members for turning out in large numbers to support the governor and the party.

Tenebe also thanked voters for their support during the last local government elections and urged them to continue supporting the governor.

He called on party members to work towards delivering the 2.5 million votes the APC in Edo has promised President Bola Tinubu in the January 2027 elections.