Edo governor threatens arrest over stalled Benin-Abraka Road section
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo says he may arrest the contractor responsible for an unfinished section of the Benin-Abraka Road. He alleges the company was paid by the previous administration but abandoned its work, while another contractor handling a separate section has reached about 75 per cent completion.
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has threatened to arrest the contractor handling an unfinished section of the Benin-Abraka Road, alleging that the company abandoned the project after receiving payment from the previous administration. Okpebholo made the statement on Friday while addressing members of the All Progressives Congress in Orhionmwon and Uhunmwode Local Government Areas during his tour to strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. Details were released on Saturday in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Ebojele.
The governor said he wanted to improve the road’s condition but was constrained by contractual agreements entered into under the administration of former governor Godwin Obaseki. He said the project had been awarded to two contractors, each responsible for a separate section. According to Okpebholo, one contractor was continuing with its work and had completed about 75 per cent of its assigned section.
He alleged that the other contractor, whom he described as a friend of Obaseki, had abandoned its section despite payment by the former administration. Okpebholo said the resulting condition of the road had caused serious difficulties for motorists. He added that he had previously avoided speaking publicly about the project but was prompted to address it after hearing complaints during his visit to the area.
“Despite the payment by the previous administration, the contractor still abandoned the road,” the governor said, according to the statement. “I am going to arrest that contractor.” The governor was accompanied during the visit by APC leaders and senior government officials. He also visited Iguomo-Nisi in Uhunmwode, where he met party members and sought support for APC candidates in the 2027 elections.
Edo APC chairman Jarrett Tenebe commended the turnout and thanked voters for supporting the party in the last local government elections. He urged members to help deliver the 2.5 million votes the party has promised President Bola Tinubu in Edo in the January 2027 elections.
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