A Year of Echoes and Eulogies
It’s been one full year since Monday Okpebholo ascended the Edo governorship throne — and if the Guinness Book of Records ever introduces a category for “Most Public Compliments to the President in a Calendar Year,” Edo’s number one citizen would be miles ahead of his nearest competitor, possibly by a motorcade and three state banquets.
Governor Okpebholo’s administration might not have tarred every road, but by heavens, he has tarred every speech with tributes to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Whether opening a borehole, commissioning a primary school chalkboard, or declaring mosquito eradication week, one thing is constant: Tinubu’s name must make the program of events — preferably in bold font and all caps.
The Gospel According to Asiwaju
Political historians will one day ask: was Monday Okpebholo the governor of Edo State or the governor of “Tinubustan”?
Every Edo event now feels like a presidential campaign rerun. Okpebholo quotes Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” mantra like a man reciting Psalms for his daily devotion. Rumour has it that his state cabinet meetings open with, “In the name of Tinubu, the source of all federal allocations, we proceed.”
There are whispers that government press releases now come in two versions — the regular one for local consumption and a “federal edition” written in the tone of a love letter to the Villa.
Infrastructure of Loyalty
While other governors are busy laying asphalt and building bridges, Okpebholo has built a 12-lane expressway of loyalty straight to Abuja. He reportedly calls the President so frequently that the Aso Rock operators greet him with, “Good evening, Your Excellency of Edo, the most faithful of the faithful.”
If Edo’s treasury had a voice, it might cry, “Our budget is 70% praise, 30% performance.” In this government, the only thing that inflates faster than the cost of cement is the governor’s adjectives when describing Tinubu — “visionary,” “architect of progress,” “political messiah,” “father of the modern republic,” “custodian of eternal wisdom,” and once, during a particularly emotional moment, “the man who sees tomorrow.”
When Governance Meets Gush
Some Edo citizens whisper that they don’t know if their governor is addressing them or auditioning for Minister of Compliments. In a state once known for fiery independence, the new philosophy seems to be: “If you can’t beat Abuja, serenade it.”
Meanwhile, civil servants still await their promotion arrears, farmers their subsidies, and pensioners their pensions — but at least everyone has been richly blessed with the governor’s glowing testimonials of Tinubu’s greatness.
Public service, it appears, now includes public singing.
The Anniversary Speech
At the anniversary celebration, Okpebholo began his address as expected: “I thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the light of our national rebirth, the beacon guiding our destiny, and the only man who can make my dreams for Edo possible.”
Halfway through, a power outage briefly interrupted the event — yet the governor was undeterred:
“Even when the lights go out,” he proclaimed, “Tinubu’s vision shines on!”
The audience clapped. The microphones wept.
Epilogue: Waiting for Independence Day
As we mark one year of Okpebholo’s administration, Edo people are hopeful that by the second anniversary, their governor might remember that his oath of office was taken in Benin City — not at the Presidential Villa.
Until then, the state remains firmly in the “Renewed Hope Choir,” with Monday Okpebholo as lead vocalist, conductor, and backup singer rolled into one.
Centre for Nigeria Progress 