EDO State Governor-elect Monday Okpebholo has allegedly accused the government of the incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki of spreading rumour that he is initiating moves for a $45 million loan from a Chinese agency to fund the construction of three flyovers in Benin City when sworn into office.

Okpebholo alleged in a statement by his media aide, Godspower Inegbe, on Sunday, October 27,  that those spreading the claim were affiliates of the outgoing administration.

According to the statement, viral photos from Okpebholo’s recent visit to the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, might have led to the circulation of the unfounded claims.

“We wish to alert the public to the misleading publication alleging that Senator Monday Okpebholo, the winner of the November 21 governorship election, is negotiating a $45.21 million loan with a Chinese agency to construct three flyovers in Benin City.

“We are compelled to set the record straight. The governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, was photographed at the office of the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria in Abuja, where he had been invited,” Inegbe claimed.

He said contrary to claims in some publications, Okpebholo did not honour the visitation to sign any memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the China Exim Bank for a loan.

“Rather, he is dedicated to finding ways to address the multiple loans amassed by the outgoing administration without corresponding development,” Inegbe stated.

He stressed that Okpebholo has no official capacity to procure loans on behalf of the state government, adding that he would be focused “on addressing the numerous debts accumulated by the outgoing administration without any visible development to show for it.”

However, the Edo State commissioner for information, Chris Nehikhare, has dismissed the allegation from Okpebholo that people from Obaseki’s camp were involved in the claims.

“It is not true. We have nothing to say about that. We don’t even know where the original statement they are reacting to came from. All we know is that the new government is coming in on November 12,” Nehikhare said.

The ICIR reports that Obaseki, will handover to Okpebholo on November 12, 2024

Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the September 21 governorship election in Edo state, emerging as the governor-elect.

His closest rival and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Asue Ighodalo, who got the second highest votes appeared displeased with the result and is likely to pursue legal redress.

All seems not to be going well between the camp of Obaseki and that of Okpebholo ahead of the handover as the APC team had reportedly boycotted the joint transition committee set up to facilitate the handover from  Obaseki to  Okpebholo.

The incumbent government accused the APC transition committee led by Pius Odubu of not showing readiness to ensure a smooth and peaceful transition.