22/11/2024
Governor Okpebholo's historic first week in office and the pains of Edo PDP
Since the newly elected governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo assumed office, there's been a new lease of life for the people of the state. This is evident in the people-centric decisions that Governor Okpebholo has taken so far.
Without an iota of doubt, Governor Okpebholo's first week in office is a game-changer in the state's governance and development trajectory.
His historic flag-off of Edo State's first flyover bridge and rapid commencement of key infrastructure projects like road rehabilitation and school improvements and his prompt appointments and decisive actions, such as banning exploitative market unions, further underscore his commitment to practical governance.
After one week in the saddle, Okpebholo declared to the lawmakers in the State House of Assembly and the Permanent Secretaries; "I am here to build Edo, therefore, we have a lot of work to do."
Thus, to the amazement of his political detractors, Governor Okpebholo embarked on project monitoring which his one week old administration has initiated, namely; rehabilitation of Upper Mission Extension Junction by Oando Filling Station in Aduwawa, Ekenwan Barrack Road, Benin-Ekpoma express road by Obadan junction and Army check point, and Ebomisi Community Primary School in Ovia North East LGA.
Governor Okpebholo's leadership is a stark departure from his predecessor's administration, emphasizing his action-oriented approach. This is seen in his prompt announcement of his first set of appointments within 48hrs after his inauguration which is a clear indication that he was well-prepared for the office.
For many reasons in his one week old administration, Governor Okpebholo is celebrated as the first Governor to flagged-Off the first Flyover Bridge in Edo State, the first Governor to announce his first set of appointments within 48hrs of assumption of office, the first Governor to boldly placed ban on market unions that are responsible for the exploitative and arbitrary humanly induced costs of staple foods in markets across Edo State.
Without fear of contradistinction, the achievements of Governor Okpebholo in just one week in office is historic and a clear betrayal of the thoughts and expectations of his political traducers who during the governorship electioneering campaigns sponsored all sorts of propaganda and falsehoods against him in the media.
Thus, I wasn't surprised to read the ourbust against Governor Okpebholo's widely celebrated giant developmental strides by the ousted former Commissioner of Information, Chris Nehikhare, who have gone back to be the Publicity Secretary of the moribund Edo PDP. Clearly, his criticism is fueled by political frustration rather than substantive concerns.
As usual, the failed ex-commissioner who couldn't fix the road that led to his family house in Evboehighae village, Orhionmwon LGA while in government, accused Governor Okpebholo of kicking off his administration with white elephant projects to funnel resources to settle godfathers.
I understand that the ex-commissioner is terribly pained that what his boss, former Governor Obaseki, couldn't achieve in 8 years in office, Governor Okpebholo has achieved it in one week in office.
I wish to emphatically state to the chagrin of Chris Nehikhare, that Governor Okpebholo will not be an MOU Governor like his former boss.
Governor Okpebholo will work night and day for the entire people of Edo and its residents on whose pleasure he serves as the Executive Govenor of the State.
Governor Okpebholo will fellow stricto sensu the extant laws in the course of serving Edo people. He will not behave like Nehikhare's ex-boss who was cheering picking the law to adhered to or court judgement to obey.
Governor Okpebholo's singular mission is to build Edo State and make it a choice destination for investors and tourists in West Africa.
This patriotic vision cannot be derailed by the jaundiced vituperations of a defeated ex Commissioner of Information.
Godswill Inegbe is the Media Aide To The Governor of Edo State.
He writes from the Governor's Office in Government House, Benin City.