By EMMANUEL JIMOH, Benin –
Edo Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly criticized the APC-led government over the state Assembly’s approval of a N100 billion loan request by Governor Monday Okpebholo, describing the move as lacking transparency and scrutiny.
According to Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, Chairman of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, the loan would effectively double Edo’s debt in just eight months, from ₦112 billion accumulated over 34 years to over ₦212 billion.
Aziegbemi questioned the absence of details on projects and contractors, interest rates, and timelines, emphasizing that the state assembly has failed its constitutional oversight duty by endorsing the vague borrowing plan.
The PDP has demanded full disclosure of the loan agreement, including details of all projects to be financed, contractors’ names and profiles, and assembly records.
Aziegbemi stated that the party would file an official Freedom of Information (FOI) request to obtain these details, citing the Supreme Court’s 2025 ruling in Osakue v. Edo State.
In response, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okpebholo, Fred Itua, clarified that the state government is not obtaining a direct N100 billion loan.
Instead, it is acting as a guarantor to contractors, enabling them to secure funding for key infrastructure projects from First Bank.
Itua explained that the facility would allow selected contractors to access funds directly, supported by the state’s financial guarantee to ensure smooth project implementation.
The disagreement highlights the ongoing tension between the Edo PDP and the APC-led government over governance and transparency issues in the state.
