It has been 100 days since Senator Monday Okpebholo was sworn in, and the results so far have been nothing short of abysmal. Rather than setting the state on a path of progress, his administration has been marred by inaction, credit theft, an alarming increase in political thuggery, and an apparent obsession with his predecessor, Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Okpebholo has failed to initiate a single meaningful project of his own. Instead, his tenure has been characterized by commissioning and claiming credit for projects initiated and executed by Obaseki. This blatant misrepresentation not only insults the intelligence of Edo citizens but also raises serious questions about the integrity of his administration.
Observers have noted that the few publicized commissioning events held by Okpebholo’s administration have largely been for projects that were near completion before he took office. Rather than acknowledging the efforts of the previous government, Okpebholo and his team have sought to rebrand these projects as their own, misleading the public into believing they are the product of his governance.
What’s even more troubling is Okpebholo’s near-singular focus on Obaseki’s past actions and inactions. His speeches, public statements, and even governance decisions have been dominated by attempts to critique and dismantle his predecessor’s legacy, rather than forging a new path for Edo State. It’s almost as if the Okpebholo is obsessed with Obaseki, unable to move beyond the past and provide a fresh vision for the state.
Meanwhile, security concerns in Edo State have worsened under his watch. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has turned a blind eye to the proliferation of thuggery in the state, emboldening violent elements that have terrorized residents. In fact, it encourages it. Reports of politically motivated violence have surged, with citizens living in fear as these elements continue to operate unchecked. Lawlessness and thuggery is the order of ghe day in Edo state today.
The only visible development occurring in Edo State today is the ongoing repair of the Benin-Auchi Road—a crucial project that is, being executed by the federal government, not Okpebholo’s administration. The Edo State government has had no hand in this initiative, yet Okpebholo’s supporters have attempted to use it as evidence of his supposed achievements.
Edo people are growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of vision and leadership from the Okpebholo administration. With no new policies, no clear developmental roadmap, and no tangible projects of his own, the governor’s first 100 days have been a resounding failure. The people of Edo deserve better than an administration that thrives on deception, neglects security, takes credit for the hard work of others, and remains fixated on the past instead of building for the future.
As the state continues to grapple with rising insecurity, stalled development, and governance failure, one thing is clear: Governor Okpebholo’s first 100 days in office have been a bitter disappointment, and if this trend continues, Edo State faces an uncertain and troubling future.
