Political Battle Erupts Over Governor Okpehbolo's Edo Air Development Plan

The planned launch of a state-owned airline, Edo Air, has ignited a sharp political disagreement in Edo State, Nigeria. Governor Senator Monday Okpehbolo’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) are at odds over the project’s priority.

The Political Clash

The PDP, through its state publicity secretary, Dan Osa-Ogbegie, has labeled the airline proposal a "misplaced priority." The party argues that the state should focus on solving urgent issues. These issues include decaying infrastructure and worsening urban conditions in the state capital, Benin City. The PDP also warned that running an airline is capital-intensive and has been "historically disastrous" for most sub-national governments in Nigeria.

Conversely, the APC’s Acting State Publicity Secretary, Ofure Osehobo, defended the plan. He stated that the Edo Air development plan is the fulfillment of a key campaign promise. Osehobo emphasized that Governor Okpehbolo views aviation as a vital "development tool" and an "economic engine."

Advancing the Edo Air Development Plan

The political rhetoric comes as the project gains momentum. Governor Okpehbolo recently met with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN. The meeting focused on the "immediate activation" of an indigenous airline operating from Benin Airport.

The Governor described the initiative as a deliberate step to strengthen the state’s aviation ecosystem. He argued it would drive economic activities, boost tourism, and improve connectivity. The state government is actively exploring partnership options. This includes engagements with South African investors to provide aircraft for operations.

The Federal Government has expressed strong support for the Edo Air development plan. Minister Keyamo welcomed the initiative as timely and visionary. He recalled the historical significance of Benin Airport as a major hub during the era of the defunct Okada Air. To fast-track the launch, the Minister established a technical committee. This committee will coordinate operational planning and regulatory compliance.

Industry Context and Challenges

The opposition’s concerns about the viability of a state-owned airline are grounded in the history of Nigerian commercial aviation. The sector has a notable record of high airline mortality.

• Reports indicate that between 100 and 160 airlines have gone defunct since the industry’s deregulation in the late 1980s.
• Causes include a challenging economic climate, structural issues, and poor corporate governance.

Minister Keyamo himself has acknowledged this high failure rate. He noted that the money needed to run an airline often exceeds the cost of acquiring the aircraft. This highlights the massive upfront investment and continuous operational demands cited by the PDP. The success of Edo Air will depend on robust business planning and adherence to strict regulations set by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and international standards from bodies like the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Governor Monday Okpehbolo’s administration frames the project as owning "pathways" to markets, investments, and jobs. However, the project must overcome the significant financial and operational hurdles that have plagued other sub-national government airline ventures across the country.

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