By Fred Itua
In the grand theatre of Edo politics, the first 100 days of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s tenure have unfolded like a plot twist that left the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) clutching their scripts in dismay.
They had cast him as an unlettered protagonist, a ‘stark illiterate’ unfit for the role. Yet, here he stands, not just reciting lines but delivering a performance with critics eating their reviews.
Governor Okpebholo has proven that leadership isn’t about flaunting degrees but delivering deeds. While his predecessor, the technocratic Godwin Obaseki, was busy signing Memorandums of Understanding that gathered more dust than dividends, Okpebholo rolled up his sleeves and got to work.
It is as if while Obaseki was lost in the library of bureaucracy, Okpebholo was out in the field, planting seeds of progress.
In his first 100 days, Okpebholo has initiated projects that resonate with the common man. From revitalising the Edo Broadcasting Service to ensuring that the state’s voice reaches every corner to launching long overdue infrastructure projects, his actions speak louder than any academic accolade.
The governor’s approach is reminiscent of the adage, “The proof of the pudding is in the eating,” Edo’s citizens finally taste progress.
Critics who once mocked his educational background are now silenced by the tangible developments unfolding across the state. It’s a classic tale of the underdog rising, proving that wisdom isn’t solely the domain of the formally educated.
As the Yoruba proverb goes, “A wise man who knows proverbs reconciles difficulties,” Okpebholo navigates the state’s challenges with proverbial wisdom.
While Obaseki’s tenure was marked by technocratic ideals that often alienated the grassroots, Okpebholo’s hands-on leadership style has endeared him to the masses. He’s not just governing from the ivory tower; he’s in the trenches, understanding and addressing the real issues. This contrast is akin to a chef who reads recipes and one who cooks from experience—the latter delivers a more satisfying meal.
To demonstrate his transparency, the governor sent shockwaves through the corridors of power, suspending the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Osagie, and the Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Demian Lawani. This action underscores his zero-tolerance stance on corruption, reminiscent of a strict headmaster expelling unruly students to maintain discipline.
This decisive action starkly contrasts the previous administration, where allegations of financial impropriety were met with silence or deflection. The infamous incident of a former serving commissioner apprehended in Italy for allegedly laundering $2m remains a blot on the state’s history. While the accused claimed racial discrimination, the defence was as flimsy as a paper shield in a storm.
Governor Okpebholo’s approach is straightforward: there will be no sacred cows. By holding top officials accountable, he’s sending a message that the era of dipping hands into the public treasury with impunity is over. It’s a refreshing change, akin to opening the windows to let fresh air into a room stifled by corruption.
The governor’s anti-corruption stance isn’t just about punishment; it’s about restoring trust. Edo’s citizens, weary from years of mismanagement, are beginning to believe that transparency and integrity are returning. As the saying goes, “When the head is rotten, the body suffers,” but with Okpebholo at the helm, the state’s leadership shows signs of rejuvenation.
Unlike the previous administration, which seemed to view federal roads as someone else’s problem, Okpebholo recognizes that all roads leading to Edo are pathways to prosperity. He’s repairing these vital arteries, seamlessly ensuring commerce and connection flow.
It contrasts the past, where roads were constructed like ephemeral art installations, crumbling before the ribbon-cutting scissors cooled.
The governor’s infrastructure drive isn’t limited to roads. He’s overseeing the rehabilitation of schools, hospitals, and public utilities, ensuring holistic development. This comprehensive approach is like tending to an entire garden, not just watering a single plant. Okpebholo is laying a robust foundation for sustainable growth by addressing multiple sectors simultaneously.
Critics have noted that previous projects were marred by substandard execution, with roads deteriorating almost as soon as they were commissioned. Okpebholo’s insistence on quality and accountability is a breath of fresh air.
He’s not just building infrastructure; he’s building trust. As Edo APC Chairman Jarret Tenebe remarked, these achievements are bold steps toward ensuring prosperity for the state’s people.
Moreover, by prioritizing infrastructure, the governor addresses one of the root causes of economic stagnation. Good roads reduce travel time, improve safety, and attract investment.
It’s a domino effect of positivity, much like how a single stone thrown into a pond creates ripples that extend far beyond the point of impact. The governor is equally mindful of personally inspecting these projects to ensure standards and compliance with best global practices.
Governor Okpebholo isn’t in the business of land grabbing; he’s in land giving. By increasing the agriculture budget and launching the “Back to the Farm” initiative, he’s empowering local farmers. This isn’t about handing over fertile fields to faceless expatriates through dubious MoUs; it’s about returning the land to those whose calloused hands know its value.
The “Back to the Farm” initiative is more than a policy; it revives Edo’s agrarian heritage. By providing access to resources, training, and infrastructure, the governor enables farmers to maximise productivity. This move is a strategic departure from the past administration’s questionable agricultural partnerships that appeared more like schemes to dispossess local farmers than genuine development efforts. Okpebholo’s vision is simple yet profound: if Edo must rise economically, it must return to its fertile roots.
Moreover, this agricultural push has a ripple effect on job creation. In a state where youth unemployment remains a pressing issue, agriculture offers a sustainable solution. Governor Okpebholo stimulates rural economies, reduces migration to urban centers, and creates jobs by prioritizing local farmers and agribusinesses.
This grassroots approach to economic development ensures that wealth generation is widespread and inclusive. It is like planting a tree that provides shade and bears fruit for generations.
Another crucial aspect of Okpebholo’s agricultural policy is the emphasis on value chains. The governor understands that farming should not stop at cultivation. By encouraging agro-processing industries within the state, he adds value to agricultural products, ensures farmers earn more, and boosts Edo’s internal revenue. This strategic thinking transforms Edo from merely a producer of raw materials to a hub for finished goods, opening up local and international markets.
Additionally, the “Back to the Farm” initiative strengthens food security. In a time when Nigeria faces increasing food inflation, Edo State under Okpebholo is positioning itself as a food basket. His policies ensure that farmlands remain in the hands of those who understand and depend on them. As the African proverb goes, “The one who loves you gives you food,” in Okpebholo’s Edo, food sufficiency is a love letter to the people.
In Edo State, traditional institutions, especially the revered Benin monarchy, Oba Ewuare II, are not merely ceremonial; they are the soul of the people. Governor Okpebholo understands this.
Unlike his predecessor, who seemed to pick fights like a boxer with a grudge, even squaring off against the revered Ọba of Benin over repatriated artefacts and competing museum, Okpebholo has chosen diplomacy and respect. He knows that a governor at war with his traditions risks losing the heart of his people.
Okpebholo’s harmonious relationship with traditional institutions reflects his grasp of Edo’s cultural dynamics. By respectfully engaging with the Oba and other traditional rulers, he is building a governance structure that includes the custodians of Edo’s heritage.
This approach is not just symbolic; it has practical implications. Traditional rulers, respected at the grassroots, play crucial roles in conflict resolution, community mobilization, and cultural preservation. Okpebholo’s inclusive stance ensures that governance reaches even the state’s most remote corners.
His predecessor’s cold relationship with the palace created an atmosphere of mistrust that hindered development projects and created unnecessary tension. Okpebholo’s decision to realign the government with the monarchy is akin to resetting a compass that had long pointed in the wrong direction.
As the saying goes, “If the roots are deep, there is no reason to fear the wind.” By grounding his administration in Edo’s cultural roots, Okpebholo is building a resilient government.
Moreover, the governor’s respect for tradition extends beyond the palace walls. He recognizes the role of cultural festivals, historical sites, and traditional practices in promoting tourism. With Edo’s rich cultural heritage, tourism has the potential to become a major revenue earner.
Okpebholo’s administration appears poised to tap into this potential, boosting the local economy and showcasing Edo’s cultural wealth to the world.
No doubt, Governor Monday Okpebholo’s first 100 days have been nothing short of a political masterclass. For a man many doubted, he has flipped the script, delivering not just surprises but substance. His administration’s firm stand on corruption, infrastructural renaissance, agricultural revolution, and respect for tradition paints the portrait of a leader who understands the soul of his state.
The contrast with his predecessor’s tenure couldn’t be starker. Where Obaseki’s administration was marred by endless MoUs, consultants with questionable expertise, and strained relationships with key stakeholders, Okpebholo has ushered in an era of action, inclusion, and accountability. His message is clear: governance is not a theoretical exercise but a practical responsibility.
His early steps show that governance can be firm yet fair, ambitious yet achievable. His anti-corruption moves, particularly the suspension of top officials, signal that public office is a trust, not a treasury. His focus on sustainable infrastructure reveals a vision beyond ribbon-cutting ceremonies. His agricultural policies show empathy for grassroots realities, and his respect for the monarchy demonstrates wisdom in managing cultural dynamics.
The signs are promising as Edo State journeys beyond these first 100 days. Okpebholo may not have been the governor some expected, but he is fast becoming the leader the state desperately needed. His actions echo Nelson Mandela’s words: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” For the people of Edo, after years of bitter pills, Okpebholo’s leadership may be the sweet relief they’ve long awaited.
*Fred Itua is the Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor
