CRPP Threatens Court Action To Block Governor Okpebholo’s Proposed “Edo Air”

The Conference of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) has formally threatened to sue Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, if he proceeds with plans to establish a state-owned airline. In a strongly worded statement released on Thursday, January 29, 2026, the CRPP’s Regional President, Dr. Samson Isibor, condemned the “Edo Air” initiative as a “white elephant project” that prioritizes political optics over the urgent needs of the masses.

The group argued that the multi-billion naira venture is “uncalled for” in a state grappling with decaying rural infrastructure, rising insecurity, and high unemployment, describing the move as “self-adulation” rather than people-oriented governance.

The controversy follows Governor Okpebholo’s meeting in Abuja last week with Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, where the Federal Government constituted a technical committee to fast-track the airline’s launch by mid-2026. While the Governor insists the project will stimulate trade and position Benin City as a regional logistics hub, the CRPP has questioned the source of funding for such a capital-intensive venture.

 Dr. Isibor specifically challenged the Governor to disclose the true cost of acquiring aircraft and to explain the utilization of a ₦100 billion loan previously approved by the State House of Assembly, suggesting that these funds should instead be channeled into revitalizing moribund state-owned industries like Bendel Brewery and Ehor Fruit Juice Factory.

Public sentiment remains divided as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has also joined the fray, labeling the airline an “ill-advised fantasy” that ignores the reality of 50,000 unemployed youths in the state.

 Despite the legal threats, the Okpebholo administration appears undeterred, with the Ministry of Aviation reporting that South African investors have already expressed interest in providing technical support and aircraft. As the technical committee begins its weekly reporting cycle, the CRPP has maintained that it is ready to approach the court to prevent what it calls a “five trillion naira drain” on the state’s future.