A former member of the House of Representatives and Edo South Senatorial hopeful, Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma, has criticised the ruling  All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the party of offering Nigerians what he described as “renewed hopelessness” instead of the promised renewed hope.

Agbonayinma, who represented Ikpoba Okha/Egor Federal Constituency in the 9th National Assembly and is also a former Chairman of the National Character Commission (NCC), spoke during a consultation visit to leaders of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Edo South Senatorial District at the party’s state secretariat in Benin City.

The former APC member expressed disappointment over the current state of the nation, saying Nigerians had waited in vain for the “renewed hope” promised by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“I was among those who joined to form ACE, ACN and APC, but guess what, we were all together in Lagos. First year, we spoke about renewed hope, second year, we spoke about renewed hope; third year, we are talking about renewed hope, Forth year, we are talking about renewed hope, but I have discovered that these men are deceivers, I have not seen any hope, rather, what I see is hopelessness, what I see is renewed hopelessness,” he said.

Speaking further, Agbonayinma decried the rising cost of living in the country, citing the prices of diesel and petrol as evidence of economic hardship.

“Today in Nigeria, with enough mineral and human resources, we have crude oil, but today, diesel is sold for N2300 per litre, and fuel is N1400 per liter, when fuel was N165 per litre people trooped out, Nigerians trooped out to protest, men of God, women of God filled the streets to protest, now nobody is protesting. This is a sin to God and to humanity, but everybody has kept mute. Nigeria is bleeding.

“A few weeks ago, about N24.5 trillion was said to be missing. The Minister of Finance resigned or was sacked, and nobody has told us what happened to N24.5 trillion of Nigerian money. When I was in the House of Representatives, we investigated NNPC,” he stated.

Agbonayinma also accused former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, of concentrating federal appointments meant for Edo State in Edo North Senatorial District.

“The Edo South that laid the golden egg has been neglected, we have 62% of the votes in Edo State. But we have been neglected, two South South Development Commission Executive Directors for Edo State are domiciled in Edo North, Benin-Owen Basin, and the chairman and executive director are in Edo North.

“Special adviser to the President is domiciled in Edo North, the Minister in Edo North, everything is Edo North, Edo North. If I go to the Senate, I will fight for you, and I will bring what belongs to you. I will lobby to get what belongs to you,” he said.

The senatorial hopeful maintained that his ambition to represent Edo South in the Senate was driven by his desire to provide quality representation and advocate for the interests of the people.

“I want to go to the Senate to give Edo South people good representation. I want to speak for Nigerians, no matter their tribe. Nigeria belongs to all of us. I will come home as I do before,” he concluded.