A Prophet in Politics: Oshiomhole’s Road Warning Comes True
By South South Media
For years, Senator Adams Oshiomhole has refused to keep quiet about the worsening condition of federal roads across Edo State and its connections to neighbouring Delta and Kogi States. At different times, his interventions may have sounded fiery, uncomfortable and even confrontational. But today, events on those roads are beginning to give his warnings a different meaning.
As far back as July 2023, Oshiomhole sponsored a motion in the Senate calling for urgent Federal Government intervention on the Benin–Auchi–Lokoja Road, drawing attention to failed sections and the hardship being suffered by commuters.
Then, in July 2026, he returned to the matter with even greater urgency. On the floor of the Senate, the Edo North Senator questioned why new road projects were being approved while major existing highways serving Edo and Delta remained in terrible condition. He specifically drew attention to the Benin–Warri, Benin–Asaba, Benin–Auchi and Auchi–Okene corridors and called on the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, to give the roads the attention they deserved.
At the time, some may have regarded Oshiomhole’s intervention as another of his characteristic political outbursts. Today, however, it reads almost like a prophecy.
Barely weeks after that warning, the Benin–Agbor–Asaba corridor deteriorated into a major transportation crisis. Heavy rainfall worsened already failed sections, vehicles became trapped, and a massive gridlock reportedly lasted for about five days, leaving travellers stranded and disrupting the movement of people and goods between the South-South, South-East and other parts of the country.
The situation became so serious that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed urgent intervention, while the Minister of Works personally travelled to Edo State for an on-the-spot assessment. Governor Monday Okpebholo joined the inspection as the Federal Government moved to find both immediate and permanent solutions. Umahi subsequently apologised to affected road users and criticised the handling of the Benin-Asaba road project.
It is against this background that Oshiomhole’s earlier warnings deserve another look.
Perhaps he was not simply shouting. Perhaps he was seeing ahead.
Like the proverbial watchman who raises an alarm before others can see the danger approaching, Oshiomhole spoke when the roads were deteriorating and warned of what continued neglect could produce. The frightening scenes of stranded passengers, immobilised trucks and economic disruption have now given substance to those warnings.
In that sense, Adams Oshiomhole has become the political prophet of the Edo–Delta road crisis — not because he predicted the future by magic, but because he saw the warning signs, spoke about them repeatedly and demanded action before the situation reached breaking point.
The lesson should go beyond politics. Government must learn to listen when elected representatives raise genuine concerns affecting the lives of ordinary citizens. The roads from Benin to Asaba, Warri and Auchi, and from Auchi towards Okene, are not merely Edo or Delta roads. They are strategic economic arteries connecting regions, businesses, farms, industries and millions of Nigerians.
This time, Oshiomhole’s voice should not simply be remembered because events proved him right. It should be remembered as the warning that ought to have been acted upon before commuters were forced to pay the price..
