By Chris Osa Nehikhare
One year into his administration, Governor Okpebholo’s government in Edo State stands as a painful reminder of what happens when leadership loses its sense of direction. With no clear policy roadmap, tangible achievements, or coherent strategy, the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration seems to have settled into a rhythm of confusion and blame.
Rather than offer vision or purpose, the government has chosen distraction as its survival tool. Every failure, every shortcoming, and every unanswered question is met with the same tired excuse — “blame the past.” It’s a deliberate political misdirection, one designed to keep the public angry at yesterday while today remains hollow and unproductive.
From rising insecurity to the scandalous “sale” of 14,000 hectares of land to a teenager, and the mysterious $250 million Glasgow deal, the list of questionable decisions grows. Even more worrying are the violations of court judgments against the illegal impeachment of local government chairmen — a bold disregard for the rule of law that undermines grassroots democracy in Edo State.
A government that promised reform has instead plunged into administrative chaos. Propaganda cannot build roads, and excuses cannot fill empty stomachs. Edo people want functional governance, not rehearsed grievances. They are tired of promises without progress, and of leadership that hides behind blame instead of delivering results.
Governor Okpebholo must now decide whether to continue down the path of misdirection or to finally embrace true leadership. Elections are long over — governance has begun. Edo deserves action, not accusations; solutions, not stories.
As Abraham Lincoln wisely said:
“You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.”
