Senator Adams Oshiomhole has said that Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, inherited an “abandoned state,” noting that the immediate past administration under Governor Godwin Obaseki carried out numerous groundbreaking ceremonies for projects that yielded little tangible results.
Oshiomhole, a former governor of the state, made the remarks on Sunday in Benin while responding to claims by the state People Democratic Party that Okpebholo’s first year in office was “a waste.”
He criticised the PDP, calling it a “dead party” that failed to deliver meaningful results during its tenure.
“I don’t know why the media still quotes the PDP, which is a dead party. I urge journalists to rely on verifiable facts from events they cover across the state rather than statements that lack credibility,” Oshiomhole said.
The senator highlighted that Governor Okpebholo had undertaken impactful projects within his first year, including the ongoing flyover construction at Ramat Park, designed to ease traffic congestion in a busy area of the state.
He noted that the economic value of reduced travel time and fuel savings cannot be overstated.
Numerous road projects currently under construction across Edo State, Oshiomhole added, demonstrate the administration’s commitment to development, dismissing suggestions that such projects are mere political propaganda.
On education, Oshiomhole accused the previous administration of neglect, leaving many schools with insufficient teachers and dilapidated facilities.
He said Governor Okpebholo has begun rehabilitating these schools, restoring conducive learning environments, and recruiting 5,000 teachers.
The senator also lauded increased funding for higher institutions, noting that Ambrose Alli University and Edo University, Iyamho, now receive subventions that have been restored or expanded by the current administration.
“I must commend Okpebholo for raising AAU’s monthly subvention from N41m to N500m, helping resolve long-standing academic disruptions. Edo University, Iyamho, now receives N250m monthly, a strategic investment in higher education,” he said.
Oshiomhole praised the governor’s humility, firm leadership, and ability to hire and fire when necessary, saying these traits have restored discipline in government. “Action speaks louder than words,” he added.
Speaking on federal issues, the senator emphasised that while his role in the National Assembly is national in scope, he remains committed to advocating key projects in Edo State.
He recalled prioritising the reconstruction of the Benin–Auchi–Okene road, which had deteriorated to the point where motorists were stranded for hours. Both he and Governor Okpebholo had pressed President Bola Tinubu to explore funding mechanisms beyond the annual budget, and the road is now under construction.
The comments by Oshiomhole come in response to criticisms by Edo PDP Chairman Dr Tony Aziegbemi, who described Okpebholo’s first year as “wasted,” accusing the administration of policy paralysis, institutional decay, and economic mismanagement. Aziegbemi claimed the government had failed to sign Certificates of Occupancy, stalled private investment, and left local councils owing salaries and pensioners.
He further alleged that while other states were consolidating reforms, driving innovation, and expanding growth, Edo had returned to the pre-Obaseki era, “an age defined by ignorance, propaganda, and prebendal politics,” and accused the Okpebholo administration of destroying EdoGIS, which had brought order and transparency to land administration.
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