Governor-Elect, Monday Okpebholo, Be Different -By Isaac Asabor

In Nigeria, it is an all-too-familiar story: a politician campaigns with bold promises, rallies the hopes of the people, and once elected, the narrative shifts. The pledges made to the electorate fade into the background, overshadowed by the influences of political godfathers or internal party struggles. Many politicians, after securing office, appear more focused on maintaining loyalty to those who put them in power or engaging in conflicts that detract from real governance. The people, left with unfulfilled promises, are often sidelined. But Monday Okpebholo has an opportunity to change this pattern in Edo State.

Okpebholo, Governor-elect, ahead of the running of the next governance dispensation in Edo State, must understand that the people of Edo are tired of politics as usual. They are searching for a leader who will genuinely focus on their needs, who will rise above the distractions of power struggles, and who will be different from the norm.

The expectations for Monday Okpebholo are high, and he must show from the outset that he is not just another politician repeating old patterns. Being different means staying true to his word and ensuring that the promises made during his campaign are not simply forgotten once he is in office. Okpebholo must be a leader whose loyalty lies with the people of Edo and not with political godfathers who often manipulate officeholders for their personal gain.

Too often, newly elected officials get caught up in the politics of those who brought them to power. They become distracted by playing to the tunes of their political benefactors or spend their time engaged in personal vendettas and power struggles within their parties. Okpebholo, however, must resist these pressures. He needs to focus on the very people who elected him and deliver on his promises to transform Edo State.

One of the major failings of Nigerian politicians is their tendency to get bogged down in unnecessary political fights, usually with their predecessors or godfathers. In Edo, we have seen how political infighting can derail progress and stagnate development. Monday Okpebholo must chart a different course. Instead of expending his energy on needless political battles, he should focus on the real issues that matter to the people of Edo: job creation, infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.

Edo needs a leader who can rise above petty squabbles and instead, build bridges. Okpebholo must forge alliances that will enable him to serve the people effectively, not destroy his tenure with personal or party conflicts. His focus should remain on leaving a legacy of progress, rather than wasting his time on distractions that have nothing to do with the well-being of Edo citizens.

To truly be different, Okpebholo must reject the typical Nigerian political playbook, where godfathers exert a heavy influence over elected leaders. This has been a significant obstacle to good governance, with elected officials feeling more indebted to the political elites than to the electorate. Okpebholo must show independence and integrity in his governance. He should be beholden only to the people of Edo State and committed to making decisions that reflect their best interests, not the interests of a few powerful individuals.

Edo citizens are tired of leaders who are puppets in the hands of political godfathers; they are yearning for a leader who will chart his own course based on what is best for the state. Breaking free from this long-standing culture will require both courage and resilience, but it is critical if Okpebholo truly wants to deliver a new kind of leadership in Edo.

At the heart of being different is putting the people first. This means being a leader who is accessible, transparent, and accountable. Okpebholo must create systems that ensure the people of Edo can hold him accountable throughout his tenure. Regular communication with the public, town hall meetings, and feedback mechanisms are essential tools for demonstrating that he is in office to serve the people.

More than just lip service, Okpebholo must implement policies that directly address the concerns of the average Edo citizen. This includes tangible progress in areas like infrastructure, security, education, and economic empowerment. The people of Edo do not want grand political gestures, they want to see real, lasting improvements in their daily lives. If Monday Okpebholo can deliver on this, he will truly be different.

Leadership is not just about addressing current challenges, it is about laying a foundation for the future. Okpebholo must embrace development plans that go beyond his term in office and focus on long-term progress for Edo State. Key areas such as education, healthcare, job creation, and industrialization are essential for the future growth of the state.

Building a sustainable economy that is less reliant on federal allocations will require investing in Edo’s comparative advantages, including agriculture, tourism, and human capital development. Okpebholo should also focus on improving access to quality education to equip Edo’s youth with the skills needed for the modern economy. A forward-thinking leader must prioritize projects that may not necessarily bring immediate political gain but will yield results for generations to come.

One of the pressing challenges in Edo State is the issue of insecurity, which has stifled economic growth and threatened the peace of its residents. Okpebholo must prioritize security if he truly wants to serve the people. A leader who is different understands that without security, no meaningful development can take place.

In collaboration with security agencies and community leaders, Okpebholo must design a security architecture that is inclusive, efficient, and community-based. He must tackle issues such as kidnapping, armed robbery, and communal clashes with innovative strategies. By restoring peace and security, Edo State can become a hub for investment and development, providing its citizens with the environment they need to thrive.

Okpebholo must also make a deliberate effort to empower the youth and women in Edo State. Youth unemployment is a ticking time bomb in many Nigerian states, and Edo is no different. Okpebholo can be different by focusing on entrepreneurship programs, skills acquisition, and access to finance for young people. By doing so, he can help create a generation of self-sufficient youths who will contribute positively to the state’s economy.

Women are equally essential to Edo’s progress, and Okpebholo should prioritize policies that support gender equality and women’s empowerment. Women in Edo deserve to be fully integrated into the state’s decision-making processes, and Okpebholo can set the tone by ensuring that women hold key positions in his government.

Monday Okpebholo has a unique opportunity before him. He can break the chain of political disappointment that has plagued Edo State and Nigeria at large. But to do so, he must be different. He must be the leader who rejects godfatherism, avoids the distractions of political in-fighting, and stays true to the promises made to the people. Okpebholo must put the people first, and if he can do that, he will not only win their trust but also secure a lasting legacy of progress in Edo State.

The people of Edo are watching closely. They have heard many promises before, and they have been let down too often. This is Monday Okpebholo’s chance to stand out, to break the mold, and to show that he is indeed different. The future of Edo depends on it.