The candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Edo State governorship election, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has pledged to repair and tar the road leading to Eguaeholor, the ancestral village of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Senator Okpebholo expressed disappointment over the current state of the road leading to Eguaeholor, stating that it was poorly maintained and difficult to navigate.
He revealed that his campaign team had to abandon their vehicles and walk to the campaign venue due to the poor condition of the road.
“I will make sure I tar this road immediately when I resume office as the governor of Edo State.
“I am highly disappointed that Obaseki’s administration neglected even his ancestral home,” Okpebholo declared.
The APC candidate’s promise reflects a commitment to improving local infrastructure, a key concern for many residents in Edo State.
His campaign has been focused on addressing issues that directly impact the daily lives of the people, such as road maintenance, educational facilities, and industrial development.
In addition to his promise to repair the road, Okpebholo also addressed the need to revive the Ehor Juice Factory, which was established during the administration of former Governor Lucky Igbinedion.
He vowed to restore the factory to its former glory and ensure it becomes a significant player in the local economy.
“We will also make the Technical College in Ehor functional by providing the necessary manpower and equipment,” Okpebholo added.
As the election date approaches, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the signing of the Peace Accord for September 12 in Benin City.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, announced that the Peace Accord would be overseen by Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, Chairman of the National Peace Committee (NPC).
Yakubu explained that the early signing of the Peace Accord is intended to allow for better monitoring of compliance with the agreement by all parties involved.
“Unlike previous peace accords signed just before the election, this early signing will help ensure that all parties adhere to the code of conduct throughout the remaining days leading up to the election,” he said.
The Commission says it has completed training for security personnel and is finalizing the delivery of non-sensitive materials needed for the election.
The printing of voters’ registers for each of the 4,519 polling units in Edo State is nearly complete, and the installation and configuration of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines are also finished.
Yakubu highlighted some challenges, including issues with the quality of polling unit agents submitted by political parties. He emphasized that there would be no return to manual processes and stressed the importance of compliance with digital procedures.
“Political parties cannot be an exception. We will only produce accreditation tags for uploads that meet the requirements of our regulations and guidelines,” Yakubu said.
In a related development, Yusuf Dantalle, Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), urged INEC to remain neutral and ensure adequate preparation for the election.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining the sanctity of the ballot box and respecting the people’s mandate.
“This election will serve as a litmus test for future governorship elections in Ondo and beyond. It is an opportunity for political leaders to restore confidence in the electoral process by ensuring fair and transparent elections,” Dantalle said.
Dantalle also called for issue-based campaigns, urging candidates and political parties to focus on policies and development rather than resorting to bitterness and violence.
“There is no place for politics of bitterness and violence that has impeded our democracy,” he added.
