[Editorial] Governance Above Probes – A Call for Governor Monday Okphebolo to Prioritize Edo State’s Development

It is often said that leadership is judged not by rhetoric but by tangible results that positively impact the lives of the governed.

Barely two weeks into his tenure as the landlord of the Osadebey Government House, Governor Monday Okphebolo has focused considerable energy on probing the administration of his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki.

While accountability and transparency are vital pillars of good governance, an unquestionable fact is that an excessive preoccupation with the past risks overshadowing the urgent needs of the present.

The headlines over the past 13 days have been dominated by Governor Okphebolo’s push to investigate alleged irregularities under the Obaseki administration.

However, the clamour for justice has come with little in the way of concrete plans or actions to address Edo State’s pressing developmental challenges. Instead, Governor Okphebolo has continued to water down some of the notable achievements of his predecessor, while engaging in what can only be described as a bitter and divisive style of politics. His administration’s apparent fixation on sacking individuals appointed by the previous government—regardless of their competence—further lends credence to the dangerous prioritization of partisanship over performance.

The citizens, who queued under the scorching sun to elect a leader, expect far more than political vendettas disguised as administrative audits. They yearn for transformative policies and bold leadership that will propel the state to greater heights. Governor Okphebolo’s actions thus far raise pertinent questions about his priorities. Has he forgotten the weight of expectations placed on his shoulders? Has he been so consumed by the politics of the past that he is unable to see the opportunities of the present?

It is instructive for Governor Okphebolo to take a cue from forward-thinking leaders like Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, who upon assuming office in 2019, inherited a state grappling with several challenges. Instead of digging into the trenches of political vendettas, he chose to focus on addressing those challenges head-on.

What is even more remarkable is that Makinde, a PDP governor, not only acknowledged the achievements of his APC predecessors but also went further to name roads, bridges, monuments and what have you after them. This act of statesmanship validates his commitment to inclusivity and a governance philosophy centered on unity and progress.

Similarly, governors across Nigeria, past and present, have shown that true leadership is measured by the legacy of development left behind. Examples abound of governors who have become benchmarks of performance-driven governance. They understood that history remembers leaders not for their probes but for the schools they built, the roads they constructed, and the lives they transformed.

This is not to say that probing past administrations is inherently wrong. Indeed, where there are gray areas of alleged corruption or mismanagement, it is the duty of a responsible government to investigate and, where necessary, prosecute. However, such actions must be undertaken without distracting from the primary mandate of governance. The people of Edo State did not vote for Governor Okphebolo to preside over a courtroom of political trials. They voted for roads, schools, hospitals, jobs, and a better quality of life.

As a former Senator, Governor Okphebolo’s track record at the National Assembly was often criticized for its lack of vibrancy. With minimal contributions to legislative debates and a dearth of bills to his name, his time in the Senate left much to be desired. This new role as Governor presents an opportunity to rewrite that narrative and demonstrate that he is, indeed, capable of effective leadership. However, if he continues to dwell on the past, he risks repeating the same patterns of underperformance.

Edo State is blessed with immense potential waiting to be harnessed. The state boasts a rich cultural heritage, a youthful population, and abundant natural resources. The people deserve a governor who can unlock these potentials through strategic planning and visionary leadership. This requires a shift in focus from retribution to rejuvenation, from probing to progress, and from rhetoric to results.

Governor Okphebolo must recognize that time is of the essence. The clock is ticking, and his honeymoon period is rapidly fading. The people will not wait indefinitely for promises to be fulfilled. Every day spent fixated on the past is a day lost in building the future. He must act swiftly to outline and implement a robust development agenda that addresses critical areas such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and job creation.

In the end, while the need for accountability cannot be overstated, it should not come at the expense of governance. Governor Okphebolo has a choice: to be remembered as a leader who got stuck in the politics of the past or one who forged ahead to create a prosperous future for Edo State. The path he chooses will determine not just his legacy but the destiny of millions of Edo people who look up to him for leadership. Let him take a lesson from Governor Seyi Makinde and other pragmatic leaders, who understand that the true measure of leadership lies in building bridges—both literal and figurative—rather than burning them down.

Polity Reporters is an independent media house headquartered in the ancient city of Ibadan with tentacles spread across the length and breadth of the federation.

 

 

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