By Nosa Omorodion
Three months from now, the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo will be two years old—that is, halfway through the first tenure. By any fair standard, no governor should be judged solely by the promises made on the campaign trail. Campaigns inspire hope; governance demands execution. Yet campaign promises provide the benchmark against which citizens can measure the performance of those they elect. It is against this backdrop that I undertake an interim assessment of the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Having assumed office on 12 November 2024, Governor Okpebholo inherited a state confronted by serious security concerns, deteriorating infrastructure, unemployment and widespread public expectations for a fresh direction. Nearly two years into his administration, enough has happened to permit a reasoned evaluation—not a final verdict.
If there is one area in which the governor has made his presence unmistakably felt, it is infrastructure. Across Edo State, road construction and rehabilitation projects have become visible symbols of government activity. Whether in Benin City or other parts of the state, ongoing road projects have altered the public perception that successive governments are essentially the same, or merely a little better or worse than one another.
In less than two years, Governor Okpebholo has redefined road infrastructure development through the massive construction and rehabilitation of critical and legacy projects in the state capital and beyond. This development is about more than concrete and asphalt; it is the foundation upon which commerce, mobility and sustainable development are built. In this regard, the administration deserves considerable recognition, as already attested to in the court of public opinion.
Another major campaign promise of the governor is security. True to his word, this area has also received sustained attention, with the fight against kidnapping, cultism and violent crime placed high on the government’s agenda. The governor has gone beyond the adoption of regular strategies. To this end, he has established a special anti-cultism and kidnapping squad that works with intelligence and responds promptly to security threats. In an unprecedented move, he promised and ensured the establishment of a special court to expedite the trial of kidnapping and related offences.
While criminality, which no administration can eliminate overnight, remains a concern in some communities, Governor Okpebholo’s pragmatism and increased emphasis on security demonstrate an appreciation of what many citizens consider their most urgent need.
Under the Okpebholo administration, education has similarly shown encouraging signs. The rehabilitation of public schools signals a renewed commitment to improving learning environments. The governor’s investment in school infrastructure and quality control is a necessary step towards restoring confidence in public education.
There has also been a visible push to improve healthcare, agriculture, job creation and economic empowerment. However, these efforts have not generated the same level of visible progress as infrastructure. Citizens understandably expect better healthcare services, stronger support for farmers, greater opportunities for young people and policies that stimulate sustainable economic growth. These sectors will require sustained attention if the administration is to fulfil the broader vision presented during the election campaign.
It must also be recognised that meaningful economic transformation rarely occurs within the first two years of any administration. Structural reforms require time, consistent funding and effective implementation. For this reason, fairness demands that the government be given sufficient opportunity to translate its plans into measurable outcomes by the end of its tenure.
Nevertheless, every passing year raises expectations. Edo people will increasingly judge this administration not by announcements or ground-breaking ceremonies, but by completed projects, improved public services and tangible improvements in their standard of living.
Governor Okpebholo has made not only a promising but an excellent start as he approaches the midpoint of his first term. His administration has demonstrated energy, visibility and a willingness to tackle infrastructure and security challenges. These achievements should neither be dismissed by critics nor exaggerated by his supporters. Objective assessment requires acknowledging success where it exists while candidly identifying areas that still demand greater attention.
Ultimately, while the governor is doing relatively well, the excellence of his legacy will be determined by the sum total of how well he performs in fulfilling his promises to leave Edo State more infrastructurally developed, safer, more prosperous, economically vibrant and better prepared for future generations.
In conclusion, I would say that the first chapters of Governor Okpebholo’s administration have been very encouraging. However, the chapters yet to be written will determine how enduring his legacy will be.
