A prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Salifu Othman Usah, on Wednesday expressed his strong belief that the newly inaugurated Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, will play a pivotal role in changing the state’s narrative.
Usah, a former special adviser to the Attorney-General of the Federation, in a statement, congratulated Okpebholo and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, as they assumed office and reflected on the significance of their election.
Before the victory of the APC candidates, Usah had envisioned that Okpebholo and Idahosa would lead Edo State to greater success. He described their rise to power as a result of perseverance and patience, drawing comparisons to the journeys of other major leaders like Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former U.S. President Donald Trump, who overcame significant challenges to secure leadership roles, according to Leadership.
Usah expressed confidence that Okpebholo would be able to address the challenges left behind by the previous administration, particularly under the leadership of Godwin Obaseki.
He criticized Obaseki for failing to implement meaningful change during his eight years in office, pointing to his inability to translate signed agreements into concrete developments.
The APC chieftain also accused Obaseki of fostering division and alienating those who supported his rise to power.
He claimed that Obaseki had little regard for the people who worked hard to get him elected and that he surrounded himself with controversy rather than focusing on effective governance. Usah was particularly critical of Obaseki’s tendency to sideline allies, both internally and externally, once in office.
However, Usah remained optimistic about Okpebholo’s leadership, expressing hope that the new governor would learn from the mistakes of his predecessor. He emphasized the importance of inclusivity and unity, urging Okpebholo to carry all stakeholders along in the process of governance.
The APC chieftain also reminded Obaseki that he would eventually be called upon to account for his stewardship, particularly in light of the ongoing investigation into alleged financial mismanagement. The APC transition committee has already raised concerns about the misappropriation of over N420 billion under Obaseki’s administration.
Usah lauded Okpebholo’s readiness to tackle the state’s challenges. He expressed confidence that the new governor would provide the leadership and vision necessary to steer Edo State toward a brighter future and deliver the much-needed.
