By Ogochukwu Isioma
A social critic and public affairs commentator, Mr. Nehizena Ogunrobo, has commended Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State for his transparency and openness in disclosing his administration’s borrowing plans to the public.
Ogunrobo made the remarks while reacting to a Facebook post by a former commissioner in the previous administration, who criticized the governor’s reported plan to borrow ₦100 billion to finance developmental projects.
According to Ogunrobo, the criticism is hypocritical, especially coming from individuals who served in an administration that borrowed extensively in secrecy.
He said before now, no governor plunged Edo State into debt like Godwin Obaseki did. “The sad part is that at no point did he, or the financial institutions involved, ever inform the public that money was being borrowed,” Ogunrobo noted.
He berated the former commissioner for attacking Governor Okpebholo, pointing out that when former Governor Obaseki borrowed funds without disclosure, there was no public outrage or name-calling.
He wondered why anyone would now want to insult Governor Okpebholo for being open and accountable. “He is telling us his plans and what the money will be used for. That’s what good governance looks like,” he added.
Ogunrobo further alleged that despite the volume of loans acquired under Obaseki, basic infrastructure remained poor, particularly in the former governor’s own community.
His words, “Before now, there’s no governor that threw Edo state into debt like Obaseki and the sad thing was that at no time did he or the various financial institutions ever told us he was borrowing a dime. He was not called names.
“Obaseki borrowed more money than all the previous governors combined, yet he didn’t leave a single drivable road in his own village, let alone elsewhere in the state,” he said.
He urged critics to focus on constructive engagement rather than launching misguided attacks against a governor who, according to him, is at least committed to accountability, and committed to delivering on his promises.