Kehinde Fajobi
Edo State’s newly inaugurated governor, Monday Okpebholo, has announced an inquiry into the exclusion of 14 elected lawmakers from the state assembly’s seventh session, addressing concerns about the state’s democratic processes.
During his swearing-in on Tuesday, Okpebholo also introduced a five-point agenda prioritising security, infrastructure, healthcare, food sufficiency, and education.
He committed to a strict approach on crime, stating, “Our citizens’ safety is top priority. We shall implement programmes carefully outlined in my five-point agenda to drive economic growth and improve the lives of our people.”
On infrastructure, Okpebholo promised to address Edo’s road conditions immediately.
“The deplorable condition of our roads has made it difficult for people to move from one part of the state to another,” he said, pledging rapid improvements to road connectivity.
For small business support, he announced plans for soft loans for small businesses and market women.
In education, he proposed recruiting more teachers, refurbishing schools, and enhancing tertiary education standards.
“Our teeming youthful population will not be left out,” Okpebholo assured, promising youth empowerment programmes through skill development initiatives.
He further highlighted plans to boost electricity access in rural areas and voiced support for the Oba of Benin’s stewardship of repatriated cultural artefacts.
Okpebholo concluded by expressing his commitment to collaborating with the judiciary and legislature to uphold democratic values and governance in Edo.