The Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has criticised the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo over its participation in an investment summit in London, describing the event as an expensive public relations exercise that failed to attract tangible investments to the state.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Azeez Obogeh, the NDC alleged that the London event, themed “Shining Beyond Borders,” was a repeat of the Glasgow investment summit held in September 2025, which it claimed yielded no meaningful benefits despite the resources committed to it.
The opposition party argued that the London summit was more of a political gathering than a genuine investment forum, alleging that it was attended largely by government officials, political appointees and individuals dependent on government patronage rather than genuine investors.
According to the statement, investment summits should focus on attracting institutional investors, industrial leaders and binding investment agreements capable of driving economic development, rather than serving as networking events for political associates.
The NDC also questioned the value of the Glasgow summit, recalling that the Edo State Government had announced a proposed $250 million investment through the Edo State Development and Social Development Agency (EDSDA) by the European African Chamber of Commerce and Industries (EACCI).
The party claimed that nearly a year after the announcement, no investment had materialised, accusing the government of making promises that had not translated into economic gains for the people of the state.
It further alleged that the current administration had criticised the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed by the immediate past administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki, but was now engaging in similar exercises without delivering concrete results.
The NDC expressed concern over what it described as the financial burden of hosting overseas investment summits amid prevailing economic challenges, arguing that public funds should instead be channelled toward improving healthcare facilities, public schools and providing financial support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The party also urged residents of the state to scrutinise any agreements announced at the London summit, warning against what it described as exaggerated claims of investment inflows.
Reaffirming its opposition to the Okpebholo administration, the NDC called on Edo voters to hold the government accountable and to reject the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in future elections.
The statement was signed by the Edo State Publicity Secretary of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Mr. Azeez Obogeh, on August 4, 2026.
