Edo Cabinet: Obaseki’s failure in 9months, Okpebholo’s success in 3months
by John Mayaki
So much in littler time: Just yesterday here, we saw another achievement where Edo held its first executive council meeting – talking about visionary leadership, decisiveness, and the ability to translate promises into action. While some leaders waste time making excuses, others roll up their sleeves and get to work. Governor Monday Okpebholo has proven to be the latter, demonstrating that effective governance is not about empty talks but about tangible results.
Contrast this with his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, who, despite all his claims of strategic governance, took a staggering nine months in his first term in office to appoint commissioners. For nearly a year, Edo State was left in administrative limbo, with critical sectors lacking leadership, policies stalling, and governance grinding to a halt. The delay was not due to any frantic search for technocrats or a meticulous selection process – it was simply another case in Obaseki’s infamous pattern of indecision and political brinkmanship.
Governor Okpebholo, on the other hand, wasted no time in assembling his cabinet. Understanding that no leader governs alone, he swiftly appointed commissioners and advisers, ensuring that Edo State benefits from the collective wisdom and expertise of seasoned professionals. This simply tells of a leader who understands that time is of the essence, and that development waits for no one.
The difference is clear: while Obaseki treated governance as a personal experiment, Okpebholo treats it as a responsibility to the people. The urgency with which he has moved to set up his government must be commended – Edo State is back on the path of purposeful leadership.
So much in littler time, as this peer review and contrast becomes important.
