Edo Governor Cancels Free Bus Service Initiative Hours After Announcement

On Wednesday night, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, reversed his earlier approval of free bus services across the state, a decision that had been announced earlier in the day.

The free bus service, initially introduced as part of the state’s welfare initiatives, was meant to cover intra-city routes in Benin metropolis and inter-city routes across the state’s three senatorial districts. This announcement, made in the morning, was intended to demonstrate Okpebholo’s commitment to improving the welfare of Edo residents.

However, later that same evening, a statement from the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, instructed the public to disregard the earlier announcement, effectively suspending the service. “The earlier statement announcing the approval of free bus services by the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, should be disregarded,” Itua said.