Edo State governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, recently visited the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, in Abuja, causing unexpected reactions within the outgoing Obaseki administration. The high-profile visit highlights Okpebholo’s proactive stance on governance, even before officially assuming office.
Okpebholo’s early diplomatic move contrasts with Governor Godwin Obaseki’s eight-year tenure, which critics view as largely unproductive, citing numerous Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with minimal impact on the state.
Following the visit, speculation emerged that Okpebholo was negotiating a $45 million loan with a Chinese financial institution to fund three new flyovers in Benin City. However, Okpebholo quickly dismissed these rumors, issuing a statement through his media aide, Godswill Inegbe, who labeled the claims as false and attributed them to “Media urchins” aligned with the outgoing administration.
Okpebholo questioned the logic of these accusations, pointing out that he lacks the authority to enter any financial agreements for Edo State at this time. Instead, he stated that his priority is addressing the mounting debts left by the Obaseki administration, which he claims have burdened the state without yielding substantial development.
Inegbe clarified, “The governor-elect’s visit to the Chinese Ambassador was based on an invitation,” noting that the meeting did not involve loan negotiations or any agreements with the China Exim Bank or other financial entities. Okpebholo’s focus, Inegbe added, is on fostering lasting benefits for Edo State through transparency and accountability.
The statement further emphasized that attempts by the outgoing administration to spread misinformation would not deter Okpebholo from addressing what he sees as mismanagement of state finances.
“My free advice for the outgoing administration,” concluded Inegbe, “is to resist ‘wild and spurious claims’ as it winds down its very bad tenure.”
