OPINION

Critics of Governor Okpebholo should wake up from their slumber

By Eubaldus Enahoro

In the words of the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Apostle General Dr. I.U. Omoike, “We all have a part to play for a better Edo State and Nigeria as a nation.”

The remarks by the CAN chairman during the 2026 Plenary Session of CAN, held in Benin City on Tuesday, have undoubtedly raised questions about why some individuals deliberately choose to play the role of spoilers, who see nothing good in the achievements of the administration of Senator Monday Okpebholo.

For instance, social media platforms have been inundated with stories, videos and claims about the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo. While some reports reflect genuine concerns that deserve attention and scrutiny, others are allegedly fabricated narratives designed to mislead the public, provoke anger and tarnish reputations.

We all know that false stories thrive on three things: emotion, anonymity and speed. A sensational headline attracts more clicks than an ordinary fact. A faceless account can publish what a responsible individual would hesitate to say publicly. And by the time the facts are verified, the falsehood may have travelled around the world twice, as the old proverb suggests.

There are also desperate individuals seeking the attention of the Governor, who are prepared to go to any length to concoct stories, oblivious to the damage such actions could inflict on the state.
They have repeatedly claimed that Governor Monday Okpebholo has done nothing, while exploiting public sentiments over insecurity in the country.

But, as the CAN chairman rightly pointed out, there are several positive things the Governor has done, which Edo people should be proud of.
What, however, do we find today? Armchair critics who appear unable to recognise the efforts of the Governor and who continue to circulate false narratives.

The damage is not limited to one individual. When false stories target a sitting governor, the target is also Edo State. Investors may become hesitant, development partners may raise questions, and citizens may lose confidence. The image of our state, the Heartbeat of the Nation, inevitably suffers.

It is therefore disturbing that some individuals have made themselves serial critics of the government, deliberately closing their eyes to the strides recorded by the administration so far.
They have refused to acknowledge that no government anywhere is perfect.

They also forget that when they succeed in destroying what they ought to help build, it is the people who ultimately suffer the consequences.
While constructive criticism strengthens democracy, such criticism must be anchored on facts.

Every allegation should be subjected to verification before it is presented as truth.
In Edo State, some individuals, apparently belonging to opposition political parties, are unhappy with the achievements of a Governor whom they least expected to perform beyond their expectations in less than two years.

Several statements have been issued by armchair critics seeking to discredit the government of Senator Monday Okpebholo. Among other allegations, they have accused the Governor of doing nothing and failing to address insecurity in the state.

Interestingly, they appear not to recognise how the administration’s transformative development blueprint, Project SHINE, is impacting Edo people. The programme, which stands for Security, Health, Infrastructure, Natural Resources and Food Sufficiency, and Education, is designed to address critical areas of development across the state.

The Governor is not merely interested in keeping a blueprint on paper but in translating it into projects and programmes that Edo citizens can see and benefit from, including the Ramat Park Flyover and several other projects across the state.

Governor Okpebholo has remained focused on the successful implementation of the five-point SHINE agenda for the development of Edo State and has refused to be distracted by political attacks.

It must be emphasised that Governor Okpebholo, like every public official, is accountable to the people and can be scrutinised through verifiable data, official records and responsible journalism. That is how democracy grows and flourishes.

However, the spread of unverified claims does the opposite. It distracts the government from its responsibilities, divides communities and wastes valuable energy that should be channelled into building roads, schools and hospitals.

One would have expected critics of the Governor to acknowledge the bold initiatives that have turned Edo into a construction site, with massive road construction and rehabilitation, school and hospital projects, two flyover bridges, the revival of the New Edo Line Transport Service, agricultural development and food security programmes, as well as support for local farmers and sustainable food production.

Edo people are witnesses to how the Governor has moved to address challenges inherited by his administration, providing solutions to years of underdevelopment across the state.
The critics should be discussing the progress of work on the Gelegele Road, the completion of the Evbuotubu Road in Egor Local Government Area, and the road linking Ekenhuan to Siluko Road, which has brought significant relief and restored economic activities in the area.

They should also acknowledge the construction of the road linking 14 villages in Uhunmwode, the Uromi axis and the Ekpoma-to-Uromi road projects, which are reportedly nearing completion, as well as the transformation of the rural community of Udomi in Esan Central.

In Edo North, the IbilIo Road and the Ekpeshi-Igarra roads are wearing new looks, while more than 80 schools and 160 primary healthcare centres are being spread across the 18 local government areas to provide essential services to rural communities.
Work at Stella Obasanjo Hospital is nearing completion following the state government’s settlement of the huge debt inherited, while the Oredo Health Centre has been adequately equipped to serve the healthcare needs of residents.

Those who continue to claim that Governor Okpebholo has done nothing should take a closer look at the projects spread across the 18 local government areas.
Critics should also open their eyes to the government’s intervention to ameliorate the plight of victims of the recent fire at Oluku.
Earth-moving equipment has been handed over to local government areas to open up rural communities and complement the state government’s efforts in critical infrastructural development.

If, however, critics insist they cannot see what the Governor is doing and maintain that nothing has been achieved, Edo people have no choice but to tell them to wake up from their slumber, because Edo is SHINING.

Irrespective of our political affiliations, let us protect our collective image, because Edo’s reputation is built by all of us.
When false stories go viral, they risk becoming the first results when someone searches for Edo State online.

Let the truth be the first story we tell about our state.
It is important to remember that laws exist, and they must be applied responsibly.

The Cybercrimes Act and defamation laws are there for a reason, and everyone must understand the consequences of spreading harmful falsehoods.
But more important than the law is conscience. Let us not circulate information we cannot defend with facts.

While Governor Okpebholo and his administration remain open to scrutiny, citizens must equally remain committed to truth, fairness and responsible public discourse.

Edo does not need more rumours. It needs more results. And results are possible when we spend less time fighting false stories and more time building our state.

Eubaldus Enahoro is a former Editor of the Nigerian Observer Newspaper.