By DADA. AYOKHAI
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, recently celebrated one year in office amid stories of achievements and tributes from party leaders across the state.
The governor marked his first anniversary with a thanksgiving service at an unsual place, Auchi, in Edo North District. He said the event fulfilled a vow he made to God during his campaign at the Catholic Church in Auchi — a promise to return glory.
Edo North, known as the strongest APC zone in Edo State, also delivered the highest number of votes for the governor in the gubernatorial election — a first in the state’s history.
However, assessments of Okpebholo’s first year show Edo North received more appointments but very few, or almost no, promised infrastructure projects.
The district boast of producing the State Chairman of the party, the sole ministerial appointee, and the party leader in the state.
Again, it also has the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, ten commissioners, the Chairman of the AAU Governing Council, key commission chairmen and members, Special Advisers, several Special Assistants, and additional appointments pending.
Governor Okpebholo listed some of his achievements one year in office,
”We immediately began school renovations and teacher recruitment. Today, 5,000 teachers have been permanently employed, and 63 schools have been upgraded to modern standards. We also increased Ambrose Alli University’s subvention from ₦41 million to ₦500 million monthly.
”On Security, when we came in, Edo was almost a war zone, plagued by cult killings, kidnappings, armed robbery, and cybercrime. In 2024 alone, over 300 cult-related killings were recorded. We acted decisively, repealed the weak anti-cultism law, passed a stronger one, supplied 60 Hilux vans and 400 motorcycles to security agencies, and recruited and trained 2,500 officers into the Edo State Security Corps. These measures have drastically reduced insecurity. Let it be known: Edo will no longer be a safe place for criminals.”
Edo North within the one‑year period under review, has experienced a rise in insecurity—such as kidnapping, frequent electricity collapse, deteriorating roads, and similar challenges.
The second year of Okpebholo’s administration will determine whether Edo North will celebrate projects domiciled in the district or the number of appointments handed out.
Okpebholo’s One Year: Edo North Gets More Appointments, Less Infrastructure
