What Okpebholo cannot do
By Godwin Onah
What God cannot do does not exist is a popular saying among humans even though nobody has seen God or been to heaven to know what God can do or cannot do. In Edo State where Governor Monday Okpebholo currently holds sway, the people are yet to understand what the Edo Governor can do. There is yet to be a policy direction of his administration.
Moreover, the actions taken by Okpebholo in these few days have given an insight into what Okpebholo’s government would look like (if the court does not sack him).
First is having his sister as Coordinator for the office of the First Lady. Does the constitution recognise anything like First Lady’s office. It shows a distrust for his Deputy, Dennis Idahosa. A good leader should have allowed Idahosa’s wife acts as First Lady pending when he gets a wife. Wives of former Deputy Governors, Pius Odubu and Philip Shaibi were active at public functions and represented then First Ladies at various fora.
The swift suspension of his Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Osagie, Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Damian Lawani for alleged official and financial infraction, was an indication that Okpebholo could be unpredictable. Perhaps, the duo had thought they were untouchable due to the godfathers that nominated them for appointments. Okpebholo has shown to Edo people he is an action Governor.
During his inspection of some projects undertaken by his predecessor, Governor Okpebholo displayed crass mundane political actions by showing areas where the contractors have not completed and refused to acknowledge progress made. It was a rehash of typical old.political tactics that aimed to demonise opposition political parties or predecessors in office. Obaseki did same when he refused to acknowledge that he was building on what Oshiomhole started even when he was the software of Oshiomhole’s administration. Obaseki drew a 30-year development plan as if his predecessors like Ogbemudia, Oyegun, Oshiomhole didn’t have a plan for what they believed would lead Edo to eldorado. Obaseki’s plan was to etch his name in history as the bastion of Edo development and growth. Very soon, Okpebholo would say he is laying foundation for the state.
At a time when the world is already researching into 6G technology, Governor Okpebholo stopped the e-governance initiated by his predecessor and returned civil servants to old style of running offices. What it means is that he does not believe in use of technology. At market places, motor-parks revenue collectors deployed by Okpebholo have resorted to the old style of harassing and beating traders and commercial bus drivers. Youth empowerment is beyond revenue collection. That is the language a typical politician understand.
Edo people will not be happy to see their state go to the back line having witnessed good governance in the past 16 years under Adams Oshiomhole and Godwin Obaseki. Oshiomhole focused on education, infrastructure, flood and erosion control and general welfare. His administration did not achieve much in agriculture, tourism, arts and culture as well as other sectors. But Edo was a construction site. Under Oshiomhole, Auchi gully erosion was tackled. Areas where roads were considered impossible to construct had new roads.
If is parents whose children attend public schools in Edo State that would attest to the benefits of Edo-BEST, an education policy introduced by Obaseki. Besides Edo-BEST, Obaseki, whose administration was tagged MOU government, built many internal road network. He ensure civil servants work in serene environment by renovating many government buildings. He saw to the working of the first private power plant in the country and pursued investment in oil palm.
It is not late for Okpebholo to recognise that his success rest on standing on achievements of his predecessors. Edo people will love to see increase in state revenue than increase in thugs empowerment. He should not listen to sycophants or career politicians that nothing worked in the state under Obaseki. Edo people are not blind. He should focus on building more secondary schools and investing more in agriculture. Okpebholo should know that he cannot lie to the people all the time.
Godwin Onah writes from Benin City.
