.jpg)
Features
Dairy of a reporter who spent 7- days in Benin City.
Written By: Timothy Okojie Ave
10 Oct 2025 12:25 PM
Subhead:
Nearly a year into his tenure, Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration faces growing questions about transparency, security, and the substance behind its ambitious spending.
When Governor Monday Okpebholo assumed office in November 2024, many Edo people embraced him as a new dawn — a leader expected to steady the ship of state and restore confidence in governance.
Almost a year later, that initial optimism has given way to unease. From ballooning budgets to persistent insecurity, the government’s performance so far paints a picture of ambition clouded by inconsistency.
A RISING BUDGET, BUT FEW TANGIBLE GAINS
Earlier this year, the Okpebholo administration presented a revised ₦799.82 billion 2025 budget, up from ₦675 billion originally approved. The government described the adjustment as vital for “developmental needs.” Yet, citizens and observers have struggled to trace proportional improvements in roads, schools, or healthcare.
Edo residents have a right to ask: where are the results?
Budget expansion without public reporting risks creating the impression of opacity. True accountability lies not in pronouncements but in published data — contracts awarded, projects completed, and cost-benefit transparency.
SECURITY: A PERSISTENT WOUND
Public safety remains one of the administration’s weakest points. The horrific Uromi mob lynching that claimed 16 lives in March 2025 exposed cracks in local security coordination.
Subsequent cult clashes in Benin and Auchi have deepened fears that the state’s anti-crime strategy remains largely reactive.
For an administration that vowed to make Edo safe, short-term crackdowns and demolitions cannot substitute for structured community policing and intelligence reform. The government must demonstrate measurable progress — reduced killings, arrests with convictions, and safer streets.
Healthcare: Announcements Without Assurance
The government’s launch of the 2025 Health Operational Plan and renewed interest in the Basic Health Care Provision Fund were welcome steps. Yet, public debates around the Stella Obasanjo Hospital renovation project — particularly disputes over quality and continuity — reveal gaps between policy announcements and on-ground results.
Health reform must be felt in working clinics, stocked pharmacies, and well-paid personnel, not just in headlines and promises.
EDUCATION: A FRAGILE LEGACY
Edo’s EdoBEST education initiative remains one of Nigeria’s most acclaimed reform programs, delivering documented literacy gains in primary schools. However, under Okpebholo’s administration, continuity appears uncertain.
Stakeholders worry that shifting priorities and funding delays could erode progress painstakingly built over years.
Protecting EdoBEST should be a governance priority, not a political choice.
THE POLITICS OF PROBES
Governor Okpebholo’s decision to probe the financial dealings of his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, drew both praise and suspicion. Accountability is legitimate, but timing and tone matter.
Without transparent findings and public reports, probes risk being viewed as distractions from the government’s own unmet obligations.
Edo people deserve truth, not theatre.
TOO MANY AIDES, TOO LITTLE CLARITY
The governor’s appointment of 28 commissioners and numerous special advisers has sparked concerns about the cost of governance. In a state where revenue is limited, an expanding bureaucracy without corresponding efficiency undermines public trust.
Lean, competent governance delivers more than bloated administrative layers
A CALL FOR REAL GOVERNANCE
Governor Okpebholo now faces a defining test of leadership. His administration must replace political bravado with measurable outcomes. Edo citizens want safe streets, functioning hospitals, reliable schools, and transparent budgets — not slogans.
History will judge this government not by its speeches or probes but by its results. Accountability is not a talking point; it is a contract with the people.
“Budget expansion without results is political padding, not progress.”
“Edo deserves measurable governance — not promises on repeat.”
“Accountability begins with open books and visible reforms.”
Nearly a year into his tenure, Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration faces growing questions about transparency, security, and the substance behind its ambitious spending.
When Governor Monday Okpebholo assumed office in November 2024, many Edo people embraced him as a new dawn — a leader expected to steady the ship of state and restore confidence in governance.
Almost a year later, that initial optimism has given way to unease. From ballooning budgets to persistent insecurity, the government’s performance so far paints a picture of ambition clouded by inconsistency.
A RISING BUDGET, BUT FEW TANGIBLE GAINS
Earlier this year, the Okpebholo administration presented a revised ₦799.82 billion 2025 budget, up from ₦675 billion originally approved. The government described the adjustment as vital for “developmental needs.” Yet, citizens and observers have struggled to trace proportional improvements in roads, schools, or healthcare.
Edo residents have a right to ask: where are the results?
Budget expansion without public reporting risks creating the impression of opacity. True accountability lies not in pronouncements but in published data — contracts awarded, projects completed, and cost-benefit transparency.
SECURITY: A PERSISTENT WOUND
Public safety remains one of the administration’s weakest points. The horrific Uromi mob lynching that claimed 16 lives in March 2025 exposed cracks in local security coordination.
Subsequent cult clashes in Benin and Auchi have deepened fears that the state’s anti-crime strategy remains largely reactive.
For an administration that vowed to make Edo safe, short-term crackdowns and demolitions cannot substitute for structured community policing and intelligence reform. The government must demonstrate measurable progress — reduced killings, arrests with convictions, and safer streets.
Healthcare: Announcements Without Assurance
The government’s launch of the 2025 Health Operational Plan and renewed interest in the Basic Health Care Provision Fund were welcome steps. Yet, public debates around the Stella Obasanjo Hospital renovation project — particularly disputes over quality and continuity — reveal gaps between policy announcements and on-ground results.
Health reform must be felt in working clinics, stocked pharmacies, and well-paid personnel, not just in headlines and promises.
EDUCATION: A FRAGILE LEGACY
Edo’s EdoBEST education initiative remains one of Nigeria’s most acclaimed reform programs, delivering documented literacy gains in primary schools. However, under Okpebholo’s administration, continuity appears uncertain.
Stakeholders worry that shifting priorities and funding delays could erode progress painstakingly built over years.
Protecting EdoBEST should be a governance priority, not a political choice.
THE POLITICS OF PROBES
Governor Okpebholo’s decision to probe the financial dealings of his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, drew both praise and suspicion. Accountability is legitimate, but timing and tone matter.
Without transparent findings and public reports, probes risk being viewed as distractions from the government’s own unmet obligations.
Edo people deserve truth, not theatre.
TOO MANY AIDES, TOO LITTLE CLARITY
The governor’s appointment of 28 commissioners and numerous special advisers has sparked concerns about the cost of governance. In a state where revenue is limited, an expanding bureaucracy without corresponding efficiency undermines public trust.
Lean, competent governance delivers more than bloated administrative layers
A CALL FOR REAL GOVERNANCE
Governor Okpebholo now faces a defining test of leadership. His administration must replace political bravado with measurable outcomes. Edo citizens want safe streets, functioning hospitals, reliable schools, and transparent budgets — not slogans.
History will judge this government not by its speeches or probes but by its results. Accountability is not a talking point; it is a contract with the people.
“Budget expansion without results is political padding, not progress.”
“Edo deserves measurable governance — not promises on repeat.”
“Accountability begins with open books and visible reforms.”
Comments