Counting Gov Monday Okpebholo Days in Office

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By Obehi Igbedion

On December 12th, the new administration in Edo State will 774 hours old, with Governor Monday Okpebholo as the Executive Governor.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) triumphed at the polls on September 21, 2024 after defeating Mr. As ur Ighodalo and Mr Olu Akpata, to end the four years reign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that was led by ex governor Godwin Obaseki.

The emergence of Okpebholo relieved the tension from the political space that became toxic since 2020 defection of Obaseki from APC to PDP.

Since his assumption of office, Okpebholo has taken some foundational decisions that should shape his administration and assist him to deliver his campaign promises.

He marked his arrival with the dissolution of all boards, suspension of consultants and minimal shakeup of the civil service, sack of political appointees, as well as call to contractors handling projects in the state to return to site. All of these actions, announced him as a focused and ready to do administrator.

Next, Okpebholo flagged off the construction of a historical first flyover in the state at Ramat Park, Benin City, an area that is presently synonymous with traffick gridlock.

In quick succession, the governor suspended the recruitment of personnel into the Edo State Civil Service and ordered a comprehensive review of all recruitment exercises carried out by Obaseki’s administration from May 2024 to his exit on November 12, 2024.

With the same stroke, he canceled the absorption of political appointees into the state civil service and reversed the absorption of non-career permanent secretaries into the civil service.

To aide his planning, Okpebholo established a committee to recover government vehicles from political office holders who allegedly confiscated government vehicles.

His decision to abolish market unions reportedly brought down prices of stable food items in the markets.

Within this period, Okpebholo announced some appointments, namely, Fred Itua as his Chief Press Secretary, Musa Ikhilor Secretary as the State Government, while Samson Osagie stepped in as Attorney-General of the State and Commissioner for Justice.

He has also appointed Cyril Oshiomhole, as his Commissioner for Health and Emmanuel Okoebor as Commissioner of Finance.

Probably to firm up the trust of education in his 5-Point agenda, he appointed Dr Emmanuel lyamu as the Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board, along with a board, and brought in Enehita-Inegbenehi as the Managing Director, State Waste Management Board; CP Friday Ibadin (retd) as the Corps Commander, Edo State Security Corps Governance; Stainless Ijeghede was appointed the Managing Director, Edo State Traffic Management Agency and Lucky Eseigbe Managing Director, Edo State Public Building and Maintenance Agency.

These appointments have filled a vacuum in the absence of a State Executive Council.

It is on record that Okpebholo had earlier suspended the collection of revenue by agents and consultants that were engaged by last administration.

And within the period under review, Governor Monday Okpebholo sanctioned a plan to subject traffic offenders and street traders to carry out community service in the state as punishment.

Finally, Okpebholo announced 16 names under the chairmanship of Dr Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe as Asset Verification Committee to prob the government of Godwin Obaseki.

It is expected that the present administration will give report of stewardship on February 23, 2025 on its journey into project ‘New Edo’ to mark the 100 days in the saddle.