The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised plans by the Monday Okpebholo-led state government to establish a state-owned airline, describing the move as a misplaced priority and a sign of weak governance.
In a statement released on Friday by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Dan Osa-Ogbegie, the PDP accused the administration of being out of touch with the urgent needs of Edo residents.
The opposition party described the airline proposal as unrealistic and insensitive, particularly at a time when the state is grappling with deteriorating infrastructure, worsening urban conditions and abandoned strategic projects.
“Operating an airline is highly capital-intensive, technically complex and has historically ended in failure for most sub-national governments in Nigeria,” the statement said.
According to the PDP, the venture would require huge financial investment, constant subsidies and strong operational expertise, qualities it claimed the current administration does not possess.
The party decried the state of Benin City, saying the capital no longer reflects the standards of a modern city.
It noted that many roads are in poor condition, urban planning has broken down, drainage systems are neglected and essential municipal services are either inadequate or completely lacking, describing the situation as an embarrassment given Benin’s rich history and potential.
The PDP also accused the government of neglecting key projects inherited from previous administrations. It listed the Museum of West African Art, the Radisson Hotel project, the Ossiomo power project and EdoGIS as initiatives that are either stalled or rapidly losing relevance.
“These shortcomings undermine development, job creation, revenue growth and investor confidence,” the party said.
The opposition further criticised the flyover projects at Ramat Park and Adesuwa Junction, calling them costly projects that fail to address the state’s core challenges.
According to the PDP, Edo State urgently needs extensive road repairs, improved drainage, effective traffic management and urban renewal, rather than what it described as publicity-driven projects.
Against this background, the party said the proposed airline lacks economic sense and appears to be a distraction.
“When roads are hardly passable, public transportation is disorganised, healthcare facilities are overstretched and schools lack basic infrastructure, proposing an airline reflects poor judgment,” the statement added.
The PDP urged the state government to channel limited resources into areas that directly affect residents, including road repairs, flood control, education, healthcare, power and water supply, security and job creation.
“Edo State does not need an airline to soar above its challenges. It needs a government willing to tackle them head-on,” the party concluded.
The party called on the Okpebholo administration to drop the airline plan and focus on what it described as practical, people-oriented development goals, warning that failure to do so would deepen perceptions of poor leadership and lack of direction.