“Is It NDC or ADC?” — Gov. Okpebholo Storms Abuja in Rage as BEDC Strike Plunges Edo Into Total Darkness

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BENIN CITY — In a dramatic escalation of the energy crisis paralyzing Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo has packed his bags and headed for Abuja to confront top executives of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), accusing management of orchestrating a deliberate political sabotage against his administration.

The state was plunged into pitch-black darkness following an industrial action embarked upon by electricity workers under the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE). The union shut down power facilities over unpaid allowances, minimum wage implementation, unresolved salary adjustments, and stalled promotions.

However, Governor Okpebholo refused to view the blackout purely through the lens of a labor dispute, suspecting political motives behind the sudden grid shutdown as APC influence grows in the state.

“You Can’t Play Politics With People’s Lives!”

Addressing reporters shortly before departing for the Federal Capital Territory, a visibly furious Okpebholo suggested that political opponents might be behind the sudden power cut to undermine his administration’s momentum.

“When they start hearing about APC popularity in Edo, they quickly cut off electricity in Edo,” Governor Okpebholo fumed. “I’m going to meet him in Abuja today. You can’t be playing politics with people’s lives. I don’t know whether he belongs to the NDC or ADC!”

The Governor’s jab—referencing political parties like the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and mockingly referencing Ghana’s ruling NDC—underscores the tense political atmosphere surrounding the state’s prolonged infrastructure battles.

Four States Crippled as Labor Action Escalates

The crippling strike has extended far beyond Benin City, severing the power supply across four states under BEDC’s franchise footprint—Edo, Delta, Ondo, and Ekiti.

Small businesses, health facilities, and cold-chain operators across the region are facing ruin, forced to run expensive diesel generators amidst soaring operating costs.

While the Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared its support for the striking electricity workers, political observers note that Governor Okpebholo’s trip to Abuja aims to force an immediate intervention from the federal ministry and BEDC’s board chairman to restore power before economic activities grind to a complete halt.

As citizens await the outcome of the high-stakes Abuja meeting, pressure continues to build on both the state government and BEDC management to bring an end to the industrial standoff.