Opinion

Edo 2024: PDP, APC battle over alleged attempts to ‘doctor’ poll materials

Published

3 months ago

October 14, 2024

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By *Ehichioya Ezomon*

It’s rare for an election loser in Nigeria to move apace to lodge a petition at the tribunal for a retrieval of the alleged “stolen mandate” they often claim the people have given to them at the poll. Whatsoever the degree of their grievances, the election loser will wait till the eleventh hour before filing a petition. It’s as if they deliberately stall the process for a couple of reasons:
1) To play for time, to traffic in alleged election malpractice, and exert maximum pressure on the candidate, who’s declared as the winner of the poll, to send a message that it’s not yet time to rejoice over the purported “stolen” ballot. 2) When the aggrieved aren’t sure they can get judgment at the tribunal with the kind of allegations they levied, and the evidence against the “poll winner,” their party, the electoral umpire and security agencies.
It’s easy to make serious allegations of skewed process: disenfranchisement of voters; suppression of votes; over-voting; buying of votes; alteration of results; and connivance of the electoral body, the party of the poll winner and the Police – all of which must be “proved beyond all reasonable doubts,” and “in substantial compliance” with the relevant electoral laws.
In the case of the Edo governorship of September 21, 2024, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo, have made weighty allegations against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Police on the grounds of “fraudulent and wrongful” declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo (APC, Edo Central) as the winner of the poll.
On September 29, the PDP and Ighodalo quickly obtained an order of the Edo State Election Petitions Tribunal, directing the INEC to “hand over the comprehensive list of electoral materials in its custody for the inspection of Ighodalo and the PDP, and the taking of the Certified True Copy (CTC) thereof.” The three-member tribunal Chairman, Justice W. I. Kpochi, giving the order in the suit marked, EPT/ED/GOV/01M/2024, between Ighodalo and the PDP, as Applicants, and the INEC, Okpebholo and the APC, as Respondents, said it’s hereby ordered:
“That the 1st Respondent is directed to grant the Applicants or their Solicitors and Forensic documents Examiners unfettered access to and open up for inspection all electoral documents or any document in the custody of the National Chief Electoral Commissioner or any officer of the Commission/1st Respondent particularly the Voter Registers, the ballot papers, the BVAS machines, Forms EC25B, EC 25B(1), Forms EC40A and Forms EC40C which were utilised for the conduct of the Edo State Governorship Election held on the 21st September 2024.
“That the 1st Respondent is mandated to take immediate steps to ensure that all the Forms: EC25B, EC25B(I), EC40A, EC40C, EC40G, EC40G(I) used at the gubernatorial election of 21st of September, 2024 either in the custody of the Chief National Electoral Commissioner, Resident Electoral Commissioner of Edo State or any other officer of the Commission are preserved, kept temper-proof and secure pending the filing, hearing and determination of the Petition to be filed by the Applicants.
“That the 1s Respondent is further directed to produce and give to the Applicants, forthwith upon payment of appropriate certification fees, a List of accredited agents of all the political parties that participated in the Edo state gubernatorial election. Voters register for each of the polling units.”
Before – and since the conclusion of the process on September 22 – Ighodalo’s spoken about being deprived of “victory,” and vowed to regain his “stolen mandate” with the evidence at his disposal, telling Channels TV’s ‘Politics Today’ on September 27, as reported by Daily Trust, that the INEC, APC and the Police colluded to rob him of his “mandate.”
Ighodalo said: “There was a collusion between the INEC and the police to suppress the will of the people of Edo State. People of Edo State purposely voted for us (PDP). We won the election clearly. But we have serious collusion by INEC and the APC working towards votes not counting. But this time around, we will go through the judicial process and the vote will count.”
The Ighodalo/PDP camp also alleged an underhand tactic by the INEC and APC to frustrate their getting justice at the tribunal. Amid allegation of “doctoring” of the election materials – to sustain the reported manipulated results in favour of Okpebholo – the Ighodalo/PDP team applied to inspect the electoral materials, to enable it flesh up its petitions, and meet the deadline for filing of petitions at the tribunal.
But officials of the INEC office in Benin City, Edo State capital city, reportedly refused to allow the applicants’ counsel to examine the election materials, as directed by the tribunal. The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, firing on all cylinders on October 7, said:
“The action of the INEC in Edo State validates reports of criminal connivance of some INEC officials with the APC to obstruct the course of justice and suppress evidence of the manipulation and doctoring of election results which was clearly won by the PDP and its candidate.
“Information available to the PDP indicates that the heavily-compromised INEC officials and the APC are working to alter the data in the BVAS machines, results sheets, ballot papers and other vital information in favour of the defeated APC candidate.
“INEC and the APC must know that there is no way the PDP and the people of Edo State will allow the mandate freely given to our party and candidate at the September 21, 2024, Edo State governorship to be illegally transferred to the APC which was defeated at the election.”
Responding to the Ighodalo/PDP allegations, the INEC office in Benin City denied obstructing any political party from inspecting election materials and BVAS machines used for the governorship, with the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Anugbum Onuoha, in a statement on October 9, decrying the accusation.
Onuoha said: “The attention of INEC and my office has been drawn to certain unfounded allegations suggesting that I have refused political parties and their representatives access to inspect the BVAS devices and other election materials used during the recent election.
“We wish to categorically state that these allegations are baseless, misleading, and completely devoid of truth. INEC, under my leadership in Edo, remains committed to upholding the highest standards of transparency, fairness, and integrity of all electoral processes.
“We are dedicated to supporting the lawful processes that enable parties to seek redress in the courts. In furtherance of this commitment, I wish to inform the public that the inspection of the election materials, including the BVAS devices, has been formally scheduled for Wednesday (October 9) at the INEC headquarters in Benin.”
But on that Wednesday, the inspection couldn’t hold due to objections raised by the Okpebholo/APC lawyers: That they’re only served, at the venue, the tribunal order for the Ighodalo/PDP lawyers to inspect the INEC materials; and that rather than the BVAS machines, the inspection should commence with the register of voters.
Again on Thursday, October 10, the inspection couldn’t hold, owing to a reported clash between supporters of the APC and PDP, and gunfires by thugs around the INEC office; and Okpebholo/APC’s lawyers’ petition to INEC, alleging that the BVAS machines and other election materials were conveyed in Edo State government vehicles, thus raising suspicion of possible tampering with the evidence by the Ighodalo/PDP team.
With no immediate response to the Okpebholo/APC petition, the INEC postponed, indefinitely, the inspection of election materials, even as six of the 18 parties, including APC, which participated in the September poll – citing INEC’s inability to begin the process on October 11 – have rescheduled a joint inspection of the materials to Monday, October 14, at the INEC headquarters in Benin City.
As reported by PUNCH on October 10, counsel to Okpebholo/APC, Victor Ohionsumua, told journalists that the party would only return for the inspection once their petition had been addressed, stating that the Edo APC chairman, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, submitted the petition to the state REC, the Commissioner of Police, and the Department of State Services (DSS) in Edo.
Mr Ohionsumua said Mr Tenebe observed that the BVAS machines and voter registers were brought into the INEC complex a few days ago in Edo State Government vehicles, adding that, “on that basis, we raised an objection that the petition must be addressed before the materials inspection can proceed. The INEC legal officer wanted to move forward with the inspection without directives from the REC.
“We insisted on hearing from the REC, and that our petition must be addressed before proceeding. During this, the situation became chaotic, and we began hearing gunshots outside the complex. The INEC Director of Operations then decided to adjourn the inspection indefinitely, citing security concerns. He has not informed us if we are to return on Friday (October 11).”
The question: Why did the INEC convey very sensitive materials – such as the BVAS machines and other materials used in the Edo governorship, which were billed for inspection by fierce rival political parties – with vehicles belonging to the Edo State government, which’s controlled by the PDP and Governor Godwin Obaseki, who’s “anointed” and promoted Dr Ighodalo to succeed him in November 2024?
But REC Onuoha denied the Okpebholo/APC allegation that the Ighodalo/PDP team smuggled BVAS machines and voter registers into the INEC office, stating that a thorough investigation found the charge to be “baseless and unsubstantiated,” The ConclaveNg reported on October 11.
Onuoha said: “Following a comprehensive review of the allegations, it has been determined that the allegations are baseless, unsubstantiated, and entirely without merit. INEC maintains a steadfast commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral process, and at no time were the BVAS machines or voters’ registers compromised or unlawfully accessed by any political party or external entity.
“In light of these findings, we are in full compliance with the recent court order, directing the inspection of electoral materials, including the BVAS machines and voters’ registers. INEC is prepared to facilitate this inspection process, ensuring transparency and adherence to the rule of law. We urge all parties to cooperate fully during this process.”
The Okpebholo/APC team had reportedly “smelt a rat” when the Ighodalo/PDP camp proceeded to the tribunal, to obtain an order on Sunday, September 29, to inspect the INEC materials used for the Edo election, prompting thousands of APC’s supporters, on October 7, to protest an alleged plot to “tamper with the result sheets and other materials.” They blocked the entrance into the INEC office in Benin City, creating a gridlock around the area.
Reportedly led by the Deputy Governor-elect, Hon. Dennis Idahosa (APC, Ovia Federal Constituency), the APC supporters allegedly acted on a piece of intel: That Governor Obaseki suddenly returned from his “terminal leave” overseas “with Sophisticated Infrared-Driven Technology, with preloaded results, to manipulate the INEC database.”
A social media post by “Akpakomiza Media Strikers” – one of the political groups that campaigned for the election of Okpebholo – stated that, “credible sources have raised concerns about the true intent behind Obaseki’s recent trip to Italy, shortly after the Edo State gubernatorial election,” alleging that the trip was a “calculated scheme to manipulate the election results through sophisticated technology.”
According to the post: “Obaseki is said to have access to specialised software capable of interfering with the INEC portal. It is claimed that this infrared-driven software has been pre-configured to alter the election data once Obaseki gains access to the relevant systems. The people of Edo State, having participated in a democratic process, are being alerted to remain vigilant and to resist any last-minute attempts to undermine the integrity of the election.”
In a tensed political season like the one in Edo State, aftermath of the September 21 governorship, deliberate falsehood, and unverified and unsubstantiated allegations will fly around in attempts to smear and disorient opponents, and sway or influence members of the tribunal hearing the election petitions.
But election petitions aren’t decided or won on social media – as the 2023 General Election has starkly shown – but at the tribunal before which must be placed verifiable facts and figures, and convincing arguments for an informed decision. So, the parties to the petitions should set sight on the ball, and leave shadow-boxing that belonged in the campaign period!

Opinion

BENUE 2027:The Apa/Agatu Quest for Equity

Published

3 days ago

January 14, 2025

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By Tunde Olusunle

It may be well over two years to the next cycle of general elections in Nigeria. For the people of Apa/Agatu federal constituency in *Benue South, however, the measure of their participation and integration into the governance scheme will be defined in the run-up to the general polls that year. Nine local government areas make up the predominantly Idoma country of Benue State also labelled Zone C in the senatorial tripod of the geo-polity. The zone is also home to the Igede ethnic stock and the Etulo. Local government areas in “Benue Zone C” include: Apa, Agatu, Oju, Obi, Ado, Ogbadibo, Okpokwu, Otukpo and Ohimini. The other zones, Benue North East and Benue North West, are wholly dominated by the Tiv nationality, striding across 14 local government areas. They are christened Zone A and Zone B in the local political scheme of the state. Federal constituencies in Benue South are: Apa/Agatu, Oju/Obi; Ado/Ogbadibo/Opokwu and Otukpo/Ohimini.

The subjugation of groups and ethnicities considered demographically smaller, by the larger groups which has dominated Nigeria’s politics over time, has not been any different for the Idoma of Benue State. Until the circumstantial emergence of a Yahaya Bello from the Ebira ethnicity in Kogi State in 2015, the Igala had the relay baton of governorship of Kogi State, in rounds and succession. The Ebiras and the Okun-Yoruba zones in the state could only aspire to be serial deputies or Secretaries to the State Government. This political template was virtually cast in stone. The Ilorin people of Kwara State have similarly wholly warehoused the gubernatorial office, sparingly conceding the position to other sociocultural groups in the state. The only exception was the concession of the seat to a candidate from Kwara South, in the person of Abdulfatah Ahmed, by his predecessor, Bukola Saraki in 2011. Even at that, there were murmurs and dissent from those who believed Ahmed came from a community too close to the Ilorin emirate to be of genuine Igbomina stock, which prides itself as the pure Yoruba species in Kwara State.
Twenty-six years into the Fourth Republic, the maximum proximity of the Idoma to Government House, Makurdi, has been by the customary allocation of the Deputy Governor’s slot to its people. Ogirri Ajene from Oju/Obi, the charismatic blue-blood of blessed memory, was deputy to George Akume, incumbent Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF), from 1999 to 2007. Akume it was reported, genuinely desired to be succeeded by Ajene who exhibited competence and loyalty and could build on their legacies. The Tiv nation we understand, shot down the proposal. Gabriel Suswam succeeded Akume and had the urbane multipreneur, Stephen Lawani from Ogbadibo as deputy. Samuel Ortom, a Minister in the Goodluck Jonathan presidency who took over from Suswam opted for Benson Abounu, an engineer from Otukpo as running mate, while Hyacinth Alia, the Catholic priest who succeeded Ortom, also chose as deputy, Samuel Ode, who was also a Minister in the Jonathan government, from Otukpo. Arising from this precedence, Apa/Agatu has not for once, been considered for a place in Government House, Makurdi.
In similar fashion, the position of Senator representing Benue South, has repeatedly precluded Apa/Agatu federal constituency. David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark a former army General from Otukpo, took the first shot at the office in 1999. He was to remain in the position for five consecutive times, a distinctive record by Nigerian standards. Mark would subsequently become President of the Senate and the third most senior political office holder in the nation’s governance scheme for a string of two terms between 2007 and 2015. He was replaced by Patrick Abba Moro, who hails from Okpokwu and was a former teacher, in 2019. Abba Moro who previously served as Minister of Interior in the Jonathan government from 2011 to 2015, won a second term at the 2023 general elections and remains substantive Senator for “Benue Zone C.” He is indeed incumbent Minority Leader of the Senate, and thus a principal officer in the leadership scheme of the “red chambers.”
While Moro is barely two years into his second term, there are suggestions that he is interested in a third term which should run from 2027 to 2031! This is the core issue which has dominated contemporary political discourse in Benue South, especially from the Apa/Agatu bloc. For Apa/Agatu, it is bad enough that they are repeatedly bypassed in the nomination of deputy governors in the scheme of state politics. It is worse that they are equally subjugated by their own kinsmen within the context of politics in *Idoma and Igede land.* This is particularly worrying when both local government areas constituting the Apa/Agatu federal constituency, Apa and Agatu, are not in anyway deficient in human resources to represent Benue South. Names like John Elaigwu Odogbo, the incumbent *Och’Idoma* and respected clergy; Isa Innocent Ekoja, renowned Professor and Librarian; Sonny Togo Echono, FNIA, OON, Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, (TETFUND), and John Mgbede, Emeritus State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Benue State, readily come to mind.
Major General R.I. Adoba, (rtd), a former Chief Training and Operations in the Nigerian Army; Professor Emmanuel Adanu, former Director of the Kaduna-based National Water Resources Institute, (NWRI) and the US-based specialist in internal medicine, Dr Raymond Audu, are eminent Apa/Agatu constituents. There are also Ada Egahi, long-serving technocrat who retired from the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, (NPHDA), and Super Eagles forward, Moses Simon, (why not, hasn’t the retired soccer star, George Opong Weah just completed his term as President of Liberia)? The Member Representing Apa/Agatu in the House of Representatives, Godday Samuel Odagboyi, an office previously held by Solomon Agidani, as well as Adamu Ochepo Entonu, is, like his predecessors, a prominent figure from the resourceful Apa/Agatu federal constituency.
The Olofu brothers, Tony Adejoh, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, (AIG), and David, PhD, a renowned management and financial strategist, who is also an Emeritus Member of the Benue State Executive Council during the Ortom dispensation, are from the same federal constituency. So is Abu Umoru, a serial entrepreneur who represents Apa State Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly. The continuing intra-zonal alienation of Apa-Agatu from the politics of Benue Zone C, remains a sore thumb which must be clinically diagnosed and intentionally treated in the run-up to 2027.
If previous top level political office holders from Idomaland in general and Apa/Agatu in particular, had diligently applied themselves to tangible, multisectoral development of the zone and constituency, the present clamour for inclusiveness would probably been less vociferous. *River Agatu* which flows from Kogi State, and runs through Agatu before emptying into *River Benue,* is a potential game changer in the socioeconomy of Apa/Agatu, Benue South and Benue State in general. Properly harnessed, it can revolutionise agriculture and aquaculture in the state, beyond subsistence levels which are the primary vocations of the indigenous people. Rice, yam, guinea corn, millet and similar grains, thrive in the fertile soils of the area. These can support “first level” processing of produce and guarantee value addition beneficial to the primary producers, before being shipped to other markets. River Agatu can indeed be dammed to provide hydro-electricity to power the entire gamut of Idomaland.
The infrastructure deficit in Benue South with specific reference to Apa/Agatu is equally very concerning. A notable pattern in Nigerian politics is its self-centeredness, the penchant for political players to prioritise their personal wellbeing and the development of their immediate space. This has accentuated the ever recurring desire of people to ascend the political pedestals of their predecessors if that is the principal window by which they can also privilege their own primary constituents. Motorable roads are non-existent, seamless travel between communities therefore encumbered. Expectedly this has been a major impediment to subsistent trade and social engagements between constituents and their kinsmen. Primary health facilities are almost non-existent, compelling people to flock to Otukpo, headquarters of Benue South, for the minutest of medical advice and treatment.
Apa/Agatu pitiably bleeds from the relentless and condemnable activities of vagrants and bandits who have reduced the constituency into a killing field. Reports suggest that in the past 15 years, no less than 2500 lives were lost to the vicious attacks of marauders and trespassers in the area under reference. This unnerving situation has compelled engagements between concerned Apa/Agatu leaders, and the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force, (NPF). The prayer is for the swift establishment of a mobile police outpost in the troubled sub-zone to contain bloodletting. The proposal, anchored by AIG Tony Olofu, NPOM, (rtd), and Echono, has received the blessings of the police high command. At the last update, a commander for the outfit had been named, while the deployment of personnel had begun in earnest.
It is very clear that in the march towards 2027, Apa/Agatu will refuse, very vehemently, to be sidelined and trampled upon in the political scheme of their senatorial zone. Abba Moro may desire a third term in the Senate, but the people of Apa/Agatu are quick to remind him that his curriculum vitae as a politician is sufficiently sumptuous for him to yield the seat in the “red chambers” and sit back like an elder statesman. They remind you that for a man who began his working life modestly as a lecturer in the Federal Polytechnic, Ugbokolo in 1991, Abba Moro has done extremely well for himself in Nigerian politics. For reminders, Abba Moro was elected Chairman of Okpokwu local government in the state as far back as 1998. Ever since, he has remained a permanent fixture in Nigeria’s national politics.
The people of Apa/Agatu will put up a determined fight for the Benue South senatorial seat in 2027, and no one should begrudge them. They are the proverbial ram which was pushed to the wall, which must of necessity push back with angered horns to liberate itself. They are already engaging with their kith across “Benue Zone C” to ensure that intra-zonal equity, fairness and justice, prevails in communal politics.

Tunde Olusunle, PhD, Fellow of the Association of Nigerian Authors, (FANA), teaches Creative Writing at the University of Abuja

Opinion

The Prince Adebayo prescriptions for ease of doing Business: 15 Take-Aways

Published

3 days ago

January 14, 2025

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By Dr. Ag Zaki

On Thursday, 9 January 2025, Prince Adewole Adebayo presented a keynote address at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. The occasion was the annual conference of a group of professionals, business executives and experts codenamed J9C for January 9 Collective. The theme of the Conference was “Business and Policy Strategy: Examining the Role of Reform in enhancing the ease of doing business in Nigeria.” Prince Adebayo is a versatile cerebral man of many parts, a lawyer, a multimedia practitioner, a real estate investor, a large-scale miner, a philanthropist, a community developer, and the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The organisers of the J9C conference introduced him as an intercontinental lawyer because he currently practices law in over sixteen countries.

The full speech of Prince Adebayo at the occasion is available online and can be accessed by clicking at this url: https://youtu.be/SsHkcJbVNRg?si=ebvoOVqGh0zVOsnt or by scanning the QR code above. However, we are presenting the salient take-aways from this most incisive keynote address below for the convenience of interested persons and for the public good.

THE TAKE-AWAYS
Preamble
1. Not every change of policy or programme is a reform. A reform is a fundamental change in the activities, programmes, and policies structured to cause improvement. Genuine government reforms are people oriented and so citizens can interject, comment or contribute.
2. Reform may be internally motivated, externally forced or imposed, or technological driven.
3. The government of Nigeria must first reform itself to be able to implement development-oriented reforms to improve the country’s economic performance.

In general terms
4. Fiscal and monetary reforms are critical and are urgently required in Nigeria. While government can freely control its fiscal reforms, it must be bound by market forces for realistic and realisable monetary reforms.
5. Economic reforms must positively affect developmental policies, programmes and projects to engender economic growth, increase in efficiency, and lead to stability. Economic and political reforms must be implemented pari-passu for untainted policies and programmes.
6. Urgent structural reforms are required in areas of legal reforms, laws on banking controls and regulations, lending and borrowing as well as land matters.

In specific terms
7. Reforms which are aimed at targeting ease of doing business must be aligned with the Malam Aminu Kano maxim that “all civil servants should abstain from contracts or business”.
8. Nigeria must break the current odious and unwholesome conspiracies between policy makers, civil servants, and contractors, which can lead to irreversible endemic corruption, long foreseen by the revered Malam Aminu Kano, and which can permanently damage the economy.
9. Structural reforms must ensure that land laws open up maximum benefits and potentials of the land, encourage labour productivity and efficient and transparent entrepreneurship rules including registration, capital and lending matters.
10. Tax reforms should be broad-based, not about sharing of revenue but promoting productivity and competitiveness in all aspects of endeavours and infrastructure reforms should make transportation of people and goods safe and cost effective.
11. Monitoring economic crimes must be thorough and should go beyond arresting of “Yahoo boys” and those spraying Naira notes, but those devaluing the Naira and abusing economic rules and regulations.

Warnings
12. Adebayo left some stern terse warnings for the business sector and for the government of Nigeria.
13. Business executives and professionals should not ask or encourage government for specific reforms but for general broad-based reforms as firm-specific reforms can enhance operations of specific firms or business in the short term but will ultimately kill the industry.
14. Government should not meddle into business or be guided by partisan businessmen; government should meet business only at the junction of regulatory framework.
15. Government should be selfless and honest in carrying out reforms, incorporate measurable performance indices and ensure that reforms are implemented in a way not to inflict pains or punishment on the people.

# DrZaki25, 903 Tafawa Balewa Way, Abuja

Opinion

Governor Monday Okpebholo: A Blessing to Edo State

Published

5 days ago

January 13, 2025

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Monday Okpebholo

By Eigbefo Felix

His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Executive Governor of Edo State, has demonstrated that he is a blessing to the state through his policies, appointments, initiation of road construction across the three senatorial districts, and his deep love for the people of Edo State.

Governor Monday Okpebholo has begun fulfilling the five-point agenda he promised the good people of the state since his inauguration.

In the area of security, he has shown total commitment. He assured the people of Edo State that he would ensure their safety, and true to his word, the state remains peaceful, which has brought joy to its residents. He has provided the necessary support to security personnel.

The governor increased the subvention for Ambrose Alli University (AAU) from ₦40 million to ₦500 million. He also promised to address the issues facing AAU medical students. Additionally, he has started renovating primary and secondary schools across the state, underscoring his understanding of the importance of education.

The agricultural sector has taken a positive turn as Governor Okpebholo has allocated ₦70 billion to the sector. Recognizing agriculture’s importance to both the state and the nation, he is positioning Edo State to become the food basket of the nation with his investments in the sector.

During the electioneering period, Senator Okpebholo promised to create 5,000 jobs within his first 100 days in office. He has already begun the process, and soon, the people of Edo State will benefit from these employment opportunities. Unlike in the past, he will not rely on MOUs before making appointments. Furthermore, he has started appointing Edo State indigenes, rather than outsiders, to various positions.

Governor Okpebholo has commenced road projects across the state, from Edo South to Edo Central and Edo North. He believes that when roads are motorable, the prices of goods in the market will automatically reduce.

He has also begun investing in the health sector, understanding its critical importance to the people of Edo State.

Governor Monday Okpebholo’s initiatives and actions affirm his dedication to transforming Edo State for the better.