28/09/2025
A Call for Prudence, Due Process, and Respect for the Rule of Law in Governance
By Deacon Alasa Braimoh
I recall vividly the divergent views we once held regarding the decision by the previous administration to demolish Tony’s Hotel. While perspectives varied, I stood firmly on the side of caution, urging that governance must be guided not by impulse or political emotions, but by legal principles, strategic foresight, and the broader interest of the state.
Let us revisit the scenario. Even if, for the sake of argument, it was established that the hotel stood on government land, would it not have been more judicious for the state to repossess and convert the property for public usebperhaps into a hospital, isolation center, or emergency response facility, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic? Such a decision would have added lasting value to Edo’s public health infrastructure and demonstrated thoughtful leadership in times of crisis.
Today, however, the consequences of that decision have come full circle. The courts have now ordered the Edo State Government to pay an estimated ₦1 billion in damages to the hotel owner. This is not just a legal loss it is a significant economic setback for the state, one that could have been avoided. Had the government, at the time, chosen a more strategic and lawful course returning the hotel to its owner and possibly paying a negotiated compensation not exceeding ₦100 million the state would have saved nearly ₦900 million in public funds. This is not just a matter of legality, but of prudent fiscal management.
In light of this, I respectfully appeal to His Excellency , Governor Sen. Monday Okpebholo , to exercise caution in the ongoing demolition of properties allegedly linked to kidnappers and cult groups. While the fight against criminality is non-negotiable, such actions must be grounded in clear and verifiable evidence, and more importantly, sanctioned through proper judicial processes.
No property should be demolished based solely on suspicion or alleged association. The courts must remain the final arbiters in such matters, unless there exists a state law that explicitly supersedes judicial authority a scenario that would itself warrant constitutional scrutiny.
Let us not repeat the missteps of the previous administration, where emotions and executive overreach sometimes took precedence over the rule of law. Edo State must be governed with wisdom, fairness, and respect for institutional processes. The strength of any democracy lies not in arbitrary displays of power but in the discipline of lawful governance.
In moving forward, let us embrace justice, not vengeance; prudence, not impulse; and above all, let us place the collective interest of Edo people above political theatrics.