I am no fan of the brutal, dystopian system run in Edo State by the former Governor Godwin Obaseki. There was a lot more he could do for Edo State than his preferred MOU audio-operated government which was going to be extremely difficult for subsequent governments to follow. However, GO had presence of governance and was not scared to make the difficult unpopular decisions
But this idea, that lots of people seem to have, stoked by the anti-GO rhetoric, that Edo do not care about who is governing them right now because of their hate for GO is simply not true. The fact that Governor Monday Okpebholo could not read or understand the figures on the budget presentation has taken Edo to a new low, and exposed to all Edos exactly what we are working with in Monday Okpebholo.
- In a state where we pride ourselves on education, the “budget Gaffe” has been particularly disgraceful. This, above any other, is where most Edos will totally doubt Monday Okpebholo’s ability to govern Edo state to any type of glory. This will cost him support even from people who mean him well.
Since the November 11th swearing in it has been bad news after bad news, starting with the confraternity deaths increase, return of agberos, uninspiring appointments and the confusing debt profile of the state. Monday Okpebholo has been acting as if he is not ready for government. The man lacks presence, authority and a plan to instil confidence in Edos that he can sit at the helm of Edo State affairs.
When it comes to the Edo debt profile, he seems to be spending an unnesccessary amount of time there. Edo people should request a freedom of information bill to check whether GO’s projects reconcile with the money borrowed. Let’s leave that to the relevant authorities and move on. Monday must know that Edo State is international and the diaspora are still waiting to hear from him.
Leaving Jarrett Tenebe out of this latest Okpebholo episode will be impossible. Jarrett asked Edos to go to hell and burn to ashes after Gov. Okpebholo’s budget gaffe. Jarrett is a nasty piece of work that should be kept quiet and away from Edo public office. He is increasing the lack of confidence Edos have in Okpebholo’s government. Jarrett became famous for accusing the then deputy governor Phillip Shuibu of stealing his Rolex watch and here he is again asking Edos to go and burn to ashes because Gov Monday Okpebholo does not understand numbers. The election is over and APC will do well to remove Jarrett Tenebe from the spotlight as he has proven to be an illiterate with no control or limits and oblivious to the damage he causes.
Finally, Gov Monday must be bold and speak with a plan even in pidgin English. He should also put the Paddy Iyamus. Adaze Emwanta’s and their like forward as his mouth-pieces, otherwise the embarrassments of his party will see Edos completely turn off his government even before the upcoming election tribunal.
2 thoughts on “Is Monday Okpebholo Really Ready for Governance”
It’s clear Monday Opkebholo is not fit for purpose. All efforts to hear him through the media was impossible while the troublesome Adams Oshomole was his mouthpiece. Jarrett Tenebe doubted the inability of the Edos to subscribe to the internet to watch the news. INEC and APC is a disgrace to Edo state at the moment.
It’s clear Monday Opkebholo is not fit for purpose. All efforts to hear him through the media during election campaign was impossible while the troublesome Adams Oshomole was his mouthpiece. Jarrett Tenebe doubted the inability of the Edos to subscribe to the internet to watch the news. INEC and APC is a disgrace to Edo state at the moment.