As the Edo State gubernatorial election rolls around, one thing the electorates might have to grapple with is the “maradonic” approach to vote buying which the has become the hallmark of the APC in Nigeria since 2015.
Sen Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressive Congress APC governorship candidate, allegedly misappropriated ₦650 million in constituency funding allocated for developing an ICT and Skill Acquisition Centre in Irrua. Instead, he has acquired 30 automobiles to distribute among his party members in a clear attempt to boost his gubernatorial ambitions in Edo State.
Even worse, Okpebholo has been hoarding people’s relief supplies—bags of rice and fertilizer—since December of last year. These essential resources, designed to ameliorate the sufferings aggravated by the elimination of fuel subsidies, are now being cynically used as tools for vote-buying and voter inducement, with distribution slated for August 6th, 2024.
The Federal Government awarded funds for constituency projects, including ₦500 million for local efforts and ₦150 million for zonal interventions. The Ministry of Science and Technology oversees the construction of an ICT and Skill Acquisition Centre in Edo Central, with a budget of ₦650 million. However, under Senator Monday Okpebholo’s dubious leadership, this initiative never materialised.
Okpebholo’s act of cruelty and selfishness is more than just a personal shortcoming; it is also a major disservice to the people of Edo Central. Depriving the kids of a crucial ICT and Skill Acquisition Centre while lavishing automobiles on his political buddies exemplifies his insensitivity and corruption.
One must consider the consequences of such a reckless waste of public resources. If Senator Okpebholo can be that callous and deceitful as a senator, God forbid he ever becomes governor.
The people of Edo must stand firm and demand integrity, transparency, and true service from those who claim to lead them.
Edo State deserves much better leadership than this. Edo will improve significantly.
His name is Asue Ighodalo.
Dcn Darlington Okpebholo Ray is the lead spokesman of the Team Asue Media Organisation and Director, PDP/Asue/Ogie Diaspora Media Directorate.