The new governor of Edo State Monday Okpebholo has assumed duty after being sworn in amid protests from citizens across the state, yet he has a challenge contending with the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) lawsuit which is seeking to dethrone him on account of having allegedly rigged his way to victory
By Our Correspondent
The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo and the Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, were sworn in on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 in Benin City following his victory in the state’s governorship election held on September 21, 2024.
Heavy crowds and security presence were witnessed at the swearing in ceremony, Okpebholo, now the incumbent governor was accompanied by his two daughters as he took the oath of office and allegiance at exactly 1:00 pm on that day. The oath was administered by the state Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.
Idahosa, the deputy governor was accompanied by his wife as he mounted the podium to take the oath as the deputy governor of the state.
The governor later went ahead to inspect the guard of honour as well as a parade by the officers and men of the Nigeria Police.
Supporters of the party at the stadium cheered all through the oath-taking exercise meant to usher in the new administration in the state.
Speaking after his swearing-in, Okpebholo unveiled a five-point agenda for the development of the state.
In his inaugural speech, he pledged to prioritise security, infrastructure, healthcare, food sufficiency, and education. The new governor also declared war on criminal elements disturbing the state, warning that the era of incessant kidnapping and other violent crimes was over.
Okpebholo said, “Our citizens are a top priority for us. To achieve this, we shall implement programmes carefully outlined in my five-point agenda, designed to grow robust economic growth and improve the lives of our people.
“We will not betray this confidence you have reposed in me and the Deputy Governor, Rt. Honourable Dennis Idahosa”.
Bemoaning incessant cases of kidnapping and other crimes, the governor said his administration would be firm in dealing with criminals and improve the security of the state.
According to him, “For a long time now, our people have become victims of kidnapping and other violent crimes.
“To end this ugly situation, we will be firm in dealing with criminals and improve the security of our land, so that farming and other business activities will flourish again.
“The deplorable condition of our roads has made it difficult for people to move from one part of the state to another.
“Our policy to develop road infrastructure is targeted at constructing roads, drainages, and bridges to ease transportation for all.
“We shall immediately commence work to make the roads passable again.
“We are also ready to partner with the Federal Government, the private sector, non-governmental organisations, those in the Diaspora, and other stakeholders, to develop our state across all sectors”.
Okpebholo further promised that the new administration which he is at the helm would support small businesses and market women with soft loans, adding that “Our teeming youthful population will not be left out. We shall support them in acquiring relevant skills for self-empowerment.
“My administration shall immediately swing into action to recruit teachers and rebuild the deplorable classrooms.
“Tertiary education will be strengthened in many ways, too, to ensure quality education,” Okpebholo added.
He added, “Fellow citizens, my administration is ready to link communities that have not yet been connected to the national grid to ensure that they have electricity.
“Our traditional institution shall be given the necessary support to play their role as custodians of our rich cultural heritage.
“It is in recognition of this that my administration shall support the decision of the Federal Government to uphold the Oba of Benin as the exclusive owner of the returned artifacts, which were looted by British colonial forces during the Benin Massacre of 1897”.
The new governor said he was ready to work closely with other arms of government to strengthen democracy and good governance in the state. He also announced a panel of inquiry into the remote cause of the failure to inaugurate 14 members-elect of the House of Assembly in 2019.
In choosing the team to work with, Okpebholo appointed Dr Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, son of the former governor of the state, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, as the Commissioner for Health-designate.
A press statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, on the day of inauguration said that the governor also appointed Musa Ikhilor as the Secretary to State Government and a former member of the House of Representatives, Samson Osagie, as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice-designate.
President Bola Tinubu on the same day extended his heartfelt congratulations to Okpebholo on his inauguration as the Edo State governor. Tinubu conveyed his felicitations through a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga.
The statement is titled “President Tinubu congratulates Senator Okpebholo on Edo governorship inauguration.”
In his message, the President urged Okpebholo to diligently work to enhance the living standards of the people of Edo State and make a significant impact during his tenure.
Reflecting on the transition, the President noted that after eight years under Obaseki’s administration, Edo State was rejoining the ranks of the APC.
Vice President Kashim Shettima who led the Federal Government delegation to grace the inauguration was joined by governors across the country, who were elected on the platform of the APC.
The governors included AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Hope Uzodimma of Imo, Bassey Otu of Cross River, and Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto, among others.
The National Chairman of the APC, Dr Umar Ganduje and his predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole, were also part of the ceremony, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin.
Other dignitaries included the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, among many others.
