By Augustine Eboigbe
On November 12, 2024, Senator Monday Okpebholo took the oath of office as the Governor of Edo State. In just one year, his administration has ushered in a new chapter defined not by memoranda or political showmanship, but by visible, measurable, and meaningful progress.
Gone are the days when Edo’s development was stalled by bureaucratic inertia and unfulfilled promises. Today, under Governor Okpebholo’s leadership, the state is witnessing a bold transformation rooted in action, integrity, and a deep commitment to rebuilding trust between government and the people.
Governor Okpebholo’s journey began amidst a troubled transition. The outgoing administration did not provide a smooth handover. His team inherited a state reportedly burdened by nearly ₦600 billion in debt and stalled or uncompleted projects. Political appointments and contracts were hastily issued in the final days of the previous administration, leaving what could be best described as a booby trap for the incoming government.
Moreover, many of the grand projects inherited were only agreements on paper, Memoranda of Understanding (MOU’s), that never translated into infrastructure.
His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, moved into action from day one, swiftly halting wasteful spending and restructuring governance to prioritize delivery over declarations. His declaration of an end to “cosmetic governance” and deceptive commissioning is laudable: no more ribbons on unfinished projects, no more politics of illusion, only the politics of results.
Frankly, when Senator Monday Okpebholo took the oath of office as the Governor of Edo State, many expected continuity in the familiar rhythm of promises and rhetoric. Instead, what Edo State has witnessed in just one year is a paradigm shift. From the politics of words to the politics of tangible results.
Governor Okpebholo’s leadership has redefined governance in Edo, bringing clarity, sincerity, and a renewed sense of direction to a people long yearning for genuine progress.
In just one year, Edo State under Governor Okpebholo has demonstrated that leadership is not about elaborate speeches or endless memoranda of understanding, but about visible results that improve daily life.
His administration has embarked on massive infrastructural projects across the state, constructing and expanding roads, initiating flyovers to ease congestion, and investing in rural electrification and building rural and farm roads to connect long-neglected communities to the grid of development.
Where the previous administration was known for endless MOUs and publicity ceremonies, Okpebholo’s government is known for foundations, walls, and roofs. Undoubtedly, critics once called Edo’s former system “cosmetic governance.” And the former governor is an MOU governor. Today the story is different; Edo citizens are witnessing an era of concrete governance, one marked by visible projects, community involvement, and a focus on completion, not commencement.
In twelve months, the Okpebholo administration has rekindled confidence in public leadership. Edo is no longer defined by words, but by works. No longer by MOUs, but by monuments. No longer by excuses, but by execution. As the state celebrates one year under a governor who builds more than he promises, one truth resonates across its 18 local government areas.
From education to healthcare, from security to agriculture, the Okpebholo-led administration has been pragmatic, deliberate, and people-centered. Schools are being rehabilitated, teachers are being employed, and students now have renewed hope through government-backed educational interventions.
In health, the governor’s expansion of primary healthcare centers and ongoing revitalization of general hospitals speak to a government that values life and wellness above politics.
One of the defining features of Okpebholo’s first year has been his bold stance on security. strengthening security and curbing cultism. Understanding that no development can thrive in chaos, his administration has tackled cultism and cult-related violence with firm resolve.
Collaborative measures between the state government, security agencies, and community leaders have led to a significant reduction in violent crimes, restoring peace and stability across volatile areas.
Governor Okpebholo campaigned on cracking down on cultism and kidnapping, declaring the battle one that is decisive and irreversible, vowing that every life in Edo matters.
His government intensified intelligence-led operations, arresting cultists and gunmen. Indeed, Edo is now safer, calmer, and freer than it has been in many years, with nighttime crime drastically reduced. After a long time, security agencies are being given new resources.
The state government has provided vehicles, patrol boats, and logistics support to police and the DSS. Okpebholo is also promoting community policing, urging better collaboration between police and local communities. These measures have helped restore public confidence, as more police patrols are more visible and effective than before.
Through the creation of local community safety networks, increased police support, and improved intelligence gathering, the administration has made Edo safer for businesses, investors, and citizens alike. The results are evident: markets are thriving, night activities have resumed in many areas, and confidence in governance is being restored.
Governor Okpebholo made a promise that every life in Edo matters; that promise is taking shape in practical, visible reforms. Through collaboration with police, vigilante groups, and community leaders, Edo has seen a sharp decline in cult-related violence and nighttime crime.
Patrols have been strengthened, logistics improved, and morale restored. The administration’s emphasis on community policing and intelligence gathering is redefining security as a shared civic duty.
Healthcare delivery under the Okpebholo administration has witnessed renewed investment and expansion.
Modernization of medical facilities, improved access to maternal care, and rural outreach programs are making a real difference in the lives of ordinary Edo people.
The state’s commitment to preventive healthcare, immunization drives, and the establishment of community health centers across the senatorial districts demonstrate a long-term vision for a healthier Edo.
Governor Okpebholo’s administration launched major road and bridge works across Edo. For example, the state’s first-ever flyover at Ramat Park Ikpoba Hill, Benin City, is under construction, and many more are like the upcoming flyover on Sapele Road.
In addition to these bridges, multiple highways are being rehabilitated and other key corridors are being repaired in partnership with the Federal Government, while many more road projects (paving, drainage, and intersections) are ongoing using durable concrete foundations to ensure longevity. Edo is resurfacing/rebuilding major arteries.
Governor Okpebholo’s deep humility and reverence for traditional institutions stand out as a model of leadership in modern governance.
Recognizing the pivotal role of traditional rulers as custodians of peace and development, he has worked closely with them, fostering mutual respect and collaboration.
His frequent consultations with traditional councils underscore his commitment to inclusive governance, one that values the voice of every community and sees cultural heritage as an instrument of unity and growth.
Beyond development, Governor Okpebholo has redefined political leadership in Edo. He has created a system where the All Progressives Congress (APC) functions freely, with party officials empowered to operate independently and responsibly.
His non-interference in party administration has restored discipline, confidence, and cohesion within the APC, allowing internal democracy to thrive.
In this, he has proven that political leadership is not about control but about creating an environment where institutions can grow stronger. Okpebholo has sought cross-party cooperation. In a rare bipartisan gesture, it is no more secret as prominent PDP chieftains praise his performance as a transformative governance model that benefits Edo beyond party lines.
The governor has publicly stated that he governs for the next generation, not for electioneering. His actions of not politicizing appointments and engaging critics constructively are cited as evidence of respecting institutional processes.
Today, over 60 public schools are currently being rebuilt or upgraded. For instance, the dilapidated Army Day Secondary School, Benin City, was fully renovated within 8 weeks of Okpebholo’s administration.
Other elementary and secondary schools have had leaking roofs repaired, classrooms repainted, and new furniture supplied. These improved conditions have restored parent confidence; student enrollment has surged since the upgrades.
The administration has attracted outside partnerships to modernize learning. Notably, in October 2025, Okpebholo inaugurated the renovated Ujabholo Grammar School in Uwessan, Esan Central LGA (his alma mater).
This project is part of a China-Nigeria school reconstruction initiative; it delivered refurbished classrooms, ICT labs, and a new library.
Okpebholo also announced complementary interventions (solar electrification, perimeter fencing, and a 250-computer CBT center) to complete the school’s upgrade.
The government is rebuilding the education workforce. It has integrated 5,000 new teachers and 500 civil servants into the public service to reverse years of understaffing.
For the first time in many years, Edo is experiencing a government that respects the rule of law and adheres strictly to the principle of separation of powers.
Governor Okpebholo’s administration maintains a healthy relationship with both the judiciary and the legislature, ensuring that each arm of government functions within its constitutional limits.
His obedience to court judgments and legislative resolutions reinforces the credibility of his government and rebuilds public trust in democracy.
Through partnerships with local and international agencies, the government is also driving digital literacy and agricultural empowerment, helping citizens transition from dependency to productivity.
This focus on people, not just infrastructure, defines the compassionate core of Okpebholo’s leadership. Obviously, at the heart of Okpebholo’s vision is human capacity development.
The administration has prioritized youth and women empowerment through skill acquisition programs, entrepreneurship grants, and job creation initiatives.
Thousands of Edo youths have been trained under government-sponsored vocational programs, preparing them for self-employment and innovation.
One year may be short in the lifespan of an administration, but for Governor Monday Okpebholo, it has been a year of transformational groundwork. A year where possibilities became plans, and plans became visible realities. Edo today stands taller, safer, and more hopeful than it has been in years.
Governor Okpebholo has proven that true leadership is not about self-promotion but selfless service, about restoring faith in governance and giving citizens a future they can believe in. As Edo celebrates this milestone, one truth is undeniable: the journey has just begun, and the best of Edo is yet to come. A new Edo has indeed risen.
