Governor Monday Okpebholo has decided to suspend free bus services across the three senatorial districts in Edo State, just three days after the implementation of the initiative.
In an official statement issued to journalists in Benin City on Wednesday, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Fred Itua, indicated that the free bus services were approved as part of the administrationโs efforts to benefit residents.
However, in a subsequent statement released on Wednesday, Itua advised the public to disregard the previous announcement regarding the service.
He explained that the suspension was prompted by a briefing the governor received concerning the operational issues related to the Edo City Transport Service (ECTS), which manages the free bus services.
โThe earlier statement announcing the approval of free bus services by the Executive Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, should be disregarded.
โThe governor is being briefed on issues surrounding the operation of the State-owned Edo City Transport Service (ECTS), operators of the free bus services.
โFor now, the free bus services have been placed on hold. A new decision by the governor will be communicated to the general public,โย the statement noted.
Former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has said the lies and blackmail of Governor Monday Okpebholoโs โcluelessโ government cannot blemish his legacies, stressing that Okpebholo canโt aid, reward thuggery, cultism, yet claim to fight same.
In a statement to Naija News on Wednesday, Media Adviser to Obaseki, Crusoe Osagie, has said no amount of lies, and propaganda by the newly sworn-in governor, and his media hirelings can blemish the legacies of the former governor.
Osagie noted that Obaseki, in eight years, successfully transformed the fortunes of the people and placed the State on the path of accelerated growth and prosperity.
He lambasted the Okpebholo-led administration for its continuous resort to baseless allegations, falsehoods, and lies to discredit and tarnish the image of the former governor, describing the efforts as diversionary tactics to deflect attention from their cluelessness and lack of plans for the Stateโs development.
He noted that despite the incumbent governmentโs futile attempts to malign and denigrate Obaseki, his legacies, achievements, and progressive policies remain indelible and undeniable, noting that the people of Edo State are discerning and will not be fooled by their petty theatrics.