When the Supreme Court delivered its judgment on the Edo 2024 governorship election, many urged Governor Monday Okpebholo to lay aside distractions and focus entirely on governance. Such advice seems logical on the surface. But to suggest that Okpebholo was ever derailed by legal proceedings is to overlook the extraordinary momentum he sustained throughout this period. In truth, he never paused for a single day.
From the moment he assumed office, Okpebholo hit the ground running. One of his earliest hallmarks was a dramatic 500% boost in monthly subventions to Ambrose Alli University. Next came the swift swearing-in and prompt remuneration of judges left in limbo by the previous administration. For a university long starved of resources, this influx was like releasing a man from confinement; restoring dignity, resuscitating academic pursuits, and breathing new life into research and governance.
Transportation infrastructure also surged. Governor Okpebholo has aggressively pursued road construction across Edo, a pursuit publicly validated by President Tinubu. Two flyover projects in densely populated sections of Benin City and the continuation of inherited roads reflect not just progress, but promise.
Yet perhaps the most audacious move came in governance appointments. Within 24 hours, Okpebholo appointed his SSG and Chief of Staff; within three days, he established a functional cabinet including Commissioners for Justice, Finance, and Health. These are ministries central to effective governance: rule of law, fiscal prudence, and public health. The early swift filling of these offices, combined with professional appointments such as Barrister Umaru Ikhilor as SSG, signaled a readiness to govern, not merely save face.
Economic empowerment was another early thrust. The governor’s approval of a ₦1 billion interest-free micro-credit scheme; ₦200,000 per beneficiary, supported over 5,000 small businesses through transparent, digital distribution. This was swiftly followed in July 2025 by a ₦1 million grant program for five youth innovators under the Edo Youth Impact Forum, presented at the Victor Uwaifo Hub.
In education, under Commissioner Dr. Paddy Iyamu’s stewardship, over 100 public schools now have functional desks, chairs, solid roofing, and permanent teachers. The ambitious School Access Program (SAP) and ₦1 billion tertiary bursary scheme for Edo indigene students signal a government acting on principle, not rhetoric.
Flood and erosion control have also seen significant progress. The state-funded study on flood dynamics, active de-silting of drains, and a new alliance with the European Investment Bank through Edo‑FEWMA, led by Dr. Ahmed Musa, demonstrate proactive disaster management, another domain tackled head-on despite the court battles.
Okpebholo’s outreach to national and international stakeholders further underscores his capacity. Collaboration with federal bodies expedited upgrades to critical federal roads, while engagement with the EU, GIZ, AfDB, World Bank, Chinese infrastructure authorities, COREN, and other partners has expanded Edo’s development alliances.
Edo has become a hub for conferences and forums, hosting the National Librarians conference, a gubernatorial summit attended by 22 state leaders, and South-South stakeholder meetings. These gatherings are more than symbolic; they reflect confidence in Edo’s leadership and its capacity to convene.
Perhaps most striking is the state’s fiscal discipline. Edo’s Internally Generated Revenue surged from ₦36.1 billion in the first half of 2024 to ₦52.6 billion in the first half of 2025, a 46% increase. Under Director Bankole Balogun, revenue efforts flourished even amid oppositional noise. The data speaks volumes, far louder than political rhetoric.
Championing gender inclusion has been another quiet success. From women-led leadership in key ministries and agencies; such as Education, Women Affairs, Technical and Vocational Education, SUBEB, and SDGs, Edo’s government has demonstrated that women’s voices are central to governance.
In summary, the litigious saga that followed the election never halted Okpebholo’s progress. If anything, it sharpened his resolve. Now, with legal distractions behind him, Edo finds itself on firmer footing. The governor’s mandate hasn’t just been upheld, it has been executed, amplified, and delivered for the people of Edo.
Taiwo Akerele, was member of the Transition Committee, Edo state.
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