By Raphael Okhiria
The Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP), has threatened to drag the Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo to the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to touchlight the activities of his government.
The threat is contained in the communique CRPP released after its 2nd general meeting held recently in Benin City, Edo state.
The communique endorsed by its national chairman, Dr. Samson Isibor, challenged the state governor to disclose the cost of construction work on Ramat Park and Sapele flyover bridges, Benin City.
The CRPP also demanded to know the identity of the firms that were awarded the projects and the time line for the completion of the bridge.
“While recognizing the two fly over bridges under construction in Benin City as a good development, for which Okpebholo has continued to invite people from within and outside of Edo State, namely, Ṣeun Okinbaloye of Channels TV and mucisian Edris Abdulkareem, to inspect, we are also aware that he is planning to invite another senior journalist from a Lagos-based national TV to inspect the flyover bridges at the cost of Edo tax payers.
– Dr. Samson Isibor
“Relying on the Freedom of Information Act as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we challenge Governor Okpebholo to answer the following pertinent questions:
A. At what cost did Okpebholo award the Ramat Park flyover bridge to the Chinese company and what is the time line for the completion of the bridge?
B. What is the role of First Bank in the two projects?
C. When were they advertised for bidding and in which national newspapers?
D. Besides the Chinese Firm they were awarded, which other firms bid for the construction?
“The people of Edo State deserve to know the answers to those pertinent questions; it is their right.
“We are putting the government of Okpebholo on notice that we shall be inviting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to beam its searchlights on these projects that are now the talk of the town.
“We challenge Governor Okpebholo to explain to Edo people how he plans to deliver 2.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the coming election in 2027. To us, it is nothing more than wishful thinking, unless he plans to play political abracadabra with Edo voters.
“We assure him that Edo people will resist any attempt to subvert their wish through rigging, with the last drops of their blood.
“Finally, we condemn Okpebholo’s undue interference and single-handedly pick candidates in the forthcoming primary election of his party. We urged him to let democracy breathe”, the CRPP added.