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Edo Governor Bars Commissioners Without Asiwaju Cap from Exco Meeting

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has charged his Commissioners and Special Advisers to always wear the Asiwaju mandate cap as a practical way of showing their support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.

Governor Okpebholo said any Commissioner who failed to wear Asiwaju the cap would not be allowed into the State Executive Council meeting.

He spoke in Benin City, swearing in 19 new Commissioners and boards of agencies and commissions.

According to Okpebholo, “This could not have happened if we did not have a responsible president. We have done many elections here, and the major problem we have had is that the president is not with us, but today we say thank you. I will not forgive any commissioner who is not wearing this cap. In our exco meetings, if you are not wearing a suit and you are coming to the meeting without this Asiwaju cap, you will go back.” He said.

Governor Okpebholo charged the Commissioners that the focus of his administration was not propaganda but practical governance that would benefit the people positively.

He warned the new Commissioners that his administration would not tolerate corruption and reminded them that their appointment was not for self-enrichment.

Governor Okpebholo told the Commissioners that their nominations was not a reward or patronage, but a call to serve the people of Edo State.

His words, “This administration came into office on the promise of practical governance – to touch the lives of our people directly.

“Our focus is not on propaganda, but on service delivery and tangible results that can be felt in every community across our state.

“While I congratulate you on your deserved elevation, I want to warn that your appointment is not for personal enrichment. You are not here for Money-making, but for service, for sacrifice, and for a better life for Edo people.

“I hereby call on you to brace up for action, as your success will be measured by your impact in bringing about better services and opportunities to our people.

“May I remind you that this administration has zero tolerance for corruption and you’re expected to display discipline, teamwork, and a shared sense of purpose.

 

 

 

 

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“Teachers are nation-builders, Why subject them to manual labour?” Group queries Edo Government

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

A rights group, Edo State Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights, has condemned the State Ministry of Education for allegedly compelling teachers in the public schools to cut grasses and engage in menial labour.

LEADING REPORTERS reports condemned the development in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday, September 1, 2025 in Benin City.

The statement was signed by Marxist Kola Edokpayi and Comrade Aghatise Raphael, Coordinator General and Secretary General of the group, respectively.

The group noted that the teachers were not employed as gardeners, cleaners and janitors.

Stressing that teachers must never be forced into degrading labour, the group threatened to embark on protests and take legal action if the state government fails to stop the development.

The group insisted that the action of the government is not only an insult to the teaching profession, but also a blatant violation of human rights and labour ethics.

The group suggested that the government should employ support staff, gardeners, cleaners and janitors that must be paid adequately to handle school maintenance.

“The Edo State Civil Society Coalition For Human Rights is outraged by the disgraceful and demeaning practice of compelling teachers in Edo public schools to cut grass and perform menial labour at the directive of the Ministry of Education.

“This is not only an insult to the teaching profession but also a blatant violation of human rights and labour ethics.

“Teachers are the backbone of society and nation-builders entrusted with shaping the minds of our children. Reducing them to gardeners and cleaners is a shameful act of abuse and a slap in the face of every hardworking educator in Edo State.

“We state clearly that teachers are not slaves, and schools are not forced labour camps. This backward practice belongs to the dark past and must never be tolerated in a state that claims to value education.

“Any nation that treats its teachers with contempt is preparing its own burial ground. Forcing teachers into menial labour is not education reform, it is educational slavery.

 

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Edo State Ban Graduation Party for nursery, primary school pupils

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Edo State Government has introduced transformative reforms in the education sector, effective from the 2025/2026 academic session, aimed at enhancing stability, consistency, and quality learning across schools.

The state Ministry of Education announced a ban on graduation parties for nursery and primary school pupils, a mandatory entrepreneurship training program for junior secondary students, and a textbook reuse policy.

Under the new measures, graduation ceremonies will be limited to students completing Basic Education (Primary 1–JSS 3) and Senior Secondary 3 (SSS 3), with only modest celebrations permitted and prom parties explicitly prohibited.

The Ministry emphasized that pre-basic and primary school pupils will no longer be allowed to hold graduation ceremonies or parties, aiming to curb excessive celebrations and focus on academic priorities.

To promote sustainability, the textbook reuse policy allows younger siblings to use approved textbooks purchased by their older siblings, with each book remaining in use for at least four years before review.

This initiative is designed to reduce costs for families while maintaining educational standards.

In a significant move to equip students with practical skills, all JSS 3 students will undergo compulsory entrepreneurship training before graduation. Starting next academic session, every JSS 3 graduate will receive two certificates: the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and a Skills Acquisition Certificate in their chosen trade subject.

The Ministry stated that these reforms reflect the government’s commitment to producing academically proficient students who are also equipped with entrepreneurial skills to excel in a competitive global landscape.

“The measures are part of our ongoing efforts to ensure Edo students are not only academically sound but also practically skilled to thrive in today’s world,” the Ministry’s statement read.

The reforms have been hailed as a bold step toward fostering a more focused and skill-oriented education system in Edo State.

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Shock as Okpebholo Dethrones Agenebode Monarch Over Kidnappings, Killings in Edo

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Governor Monday Okpebholo yesterday placed the Okumagbe of Uwano Kingdom, Agenebode, in Estako East Local Government Area of Edo State, Dr. George Oshiapi Egabor, on indefinite suspension.

The monarch was suspended over cases of incessant kidnapping and killings in his domain.

A statement by Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary Fred Itua said the monarch’s Secretary, Chief Peter Omiogbemhi, has since been arrested following the death of a palace chief, the late John Ikhamate.

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2027: Edo Governor, Okpebholo begins Tinubu re-election campaign

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo said this yesterday while kick-starting President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign in the state.

Another member of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 24-member House of Assembly, Kaycee Osamwonyi, the representative of Uhunmwonde Constituency, who is a member of House Committee on Budget and Appropriation, yesterday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

With Osamwonyi’s defection, APC now has 14 members, while PDP is left with 10 members in the House of Assembly.

Okpebholo spoke at the Government House, Benin, when he received the defecting lawmaker (Osamwonyi), who was earlier received into the APC by the state Chairman of the party, Jarrett Tenebe, who later presented him to the governor.

Okpebholo hailed Osamwonyi and his colleagues, who decided to join APC. He assured them that his administration would create a conducive atmosphere for all of them to operate and collaborate to develop Edo.

The governor said his administration had embarked on developmental strides to transform all sectors of Edo economy, thereby making life better for residents.

He said: “We congratulate you (Osamwonyi) on your returning home. Your coming is a plus for the party (APC), as we have five of you who have joined. You have made our party stronger.

“A lot of people from other parties are ready to join our party, and soon there will be a carnival. I seek your help to drive development, and together, we will develop Edo State, and make life better for our people.

“Uhunmwonde Local Government is very special to me, and together we can develop the area and open it for growth and development.

Edo chairman of APC, presenting Osamwonyi to Okpebholo, said: ‘’APC is now in full control of the House of Assembly, in view of having the majority of the lawmakers.’’

Tenebe said: “Osamwonyi joined the party (APC), following the developmental strides your (Okpebholo’s) administration has achieved in the few months you have led Edo State.”

Osamwonyi said his decision to join APC was as a result of the disunity in the PDP from the national to unit level, as well as the achievements of Okpebholo in a very short time in office.

He said: “The division in my party, the PDP, made me to join the APC. For me, it is a homecoming, as I was once in the APC. Your (Okpebholo’s) developmental strides attracted me back home, as I want the best for my people.

“The many projects captured in the budget for Uhunmwonde people are impressive. I have no choice but to join the party (APC), for the development of my people.”

Edo Chairman of PDP, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, however, declared that Okpebholo was overwhelmed by insecurity across the state’s 18 local governments.

He hoped the party’s governorship candidate during the September 21, 2024 election, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, would emerge victorious at the Court of Appeal, having lost at the Election Petitions Tribunal in Abuja, to ensure good governance.

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Uromi Residents Flee Town Amid Fears of Reprisal and Arrest

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Communities around Old Ilushi Road, Opere, and Good Will Junction in Uromi, Edo State, have been deserted by residents for fear of reprisals and arrests by security agents, following the lynching of 16 travellers by a mob in the area last Thursday.

This came as Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State yesterday in Kano State, assured that justice will prevail for those killed in the mob attack.

He also visited the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), where he said the 14 suspects so far arrested in connection with the killings, would soon be moved to Abuja for further interrogation.

This is even as the Arewa Consultative Forum, AFC, called for an independent judicial panel to investigate the killings.

Vanguard gathered that residents of Uromi and environs have also stopped going to their farms, with many seeking refuge in neighbouring towns.

Some residents who spoke with Vanguard shared circumstances that led to the mob action.

A resident who simply gave his name as Monday, said: “The vigilante group received information from areas on the stretch of Old Ilushi road, from where the travellers were coming, that they had weapons in their vehicle.

‘’When they arrived in Uromi, the vigilantes asked them to step down, but the travellers refused, leading to an altercation. One of them pulled out a knife, prompting the vigilantes to raise alarm, accusing them of being kidnappers.

“Nobody justified the action. However, those who took part in the mob action have fled, while innocent individuals have been arrested.

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JUST IN: Gunshots cause panic at Edo governorship tribunal sitting

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Gunshots erupted near the venue of the Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led, three-member Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal on Wednesday morning, causing widespread panic.

Lawyers, litigants, politicians, and reporters scrambled for safety to avoid being hit by stray bullets.

However, swift intervention by fully-armed security operatives restored calm, allowing the tribunal sitting at the Edo High Court Complex on Sapele Road, Benin, to continue.

Edo APC Chairman Jarret Tenebe, condemned the incident, describing the shootings as deeply disturbing and unacceptable.

Tenebe said: “The tribunal is a sacred space, where justice is meant to be administered impartially. Any act of violence within its walls undermines the very foundation of our legal system and threatens the safety of all involved.

“Regardless of political affiliation, resorting to violence to resolve disputes is never justifiable. We must all condemn the shootings in the strongest possible terms.”

Edo chairman of APC also stated that violence had no place in a civilised society, while declaring that the people that were responsible for the heinous act must be brought to justice swiftly and without exception.

The former representative of Edo Central Senatorial District, Senator Monday Okpebholo, of the APC, won the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo, and was inaugurated on November 12 last year.

Seven of 18 political parties that participated in the election, which filed petitions at the tribunal, were Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Action Democratic Party (ADP), Accord (A), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), and Action Alliance (AA), which wanted their candidates to be declared winner of the keenly-contested poll.

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VIDEO: ‘It’s confusing me’ Edo Gov Okpebholo says after struggling to pronounce 2025 state’s budget in figure

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

There was an uproar at the Edo State House of Assembly on Tuesday following the 2025 budget presentation by Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo.

In a widely circulating video seen by Leading reporters, Okpebholo could be seen struggling to perfectly pronounce the appropriation presented to the assembly members.

After several attempts to pronounce the figure, okehpbolo said ‘Let me take this again, it is confusing me’.

Watch video below:

https://twitter.com/EdoUpdates/status/1866491478144352714?t=_Q9bFBBPIIBMIkck2FW2jg&s=08
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Submit account statements within 48 hours, Okpebholo orders Edo LG chairmen

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Tuesday, directed the 18 local government areas chairmen in the state to submit their statements of account within 48 hours.

The directive was given during a meeting with the council chairmen at the Government House in Benin City, where the governor, represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, emphasised the need for transparency and accountability in governance.

The statement of accounts, according to the governor, should cover the period from September 4, 2023, to date and be submitted to the Assets Verification Committee through the office of the Secretary to the State Government.

Speaking at the meeting, Idahosa relayed the governor’s resolve to foster collaboration with the council bosses for the state’s progress.

He said, “I have listened to you keenly. The governor is a leader of all of us. Election has come and gone, and we are all one family. The governor has asked me to assure you that we are one family.

“Mr. Governor is committed to transparency and accountability in this government. To aid the work of the Assets Verification Committee, the governor would want you to submit your statement of accounts from September 4, 2023, to date, within the next 48 hours. This will enable the committee to perform its duties effectively and efficiently.

“The statement of accounts should be submitted through the office of the Secretary to the State Government to the Assets Verification Committee. The governor thanks you for your time.”

Earlier, the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Edo State Chapter, and Chairman of Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Newman Ugiagbe, led the council bosses on a courtesy visit to the governor.

Ugiagbe expressed the chairmen’s commitment to Okpebholo’s administration, pledging to support his policies and programmes to deliver dividends of democracy to the grassroots.

He said, “We are here to congratulate the governor and the deputy on the mandate the Edo people gave them. We also pledge our loyalty to your administration.

“Our doors are open to your instructions, policies, and programmes. We are ready to bring these policies to the grassroots to enable our people to benefit from the dividends of democracy, and we will work to ensure your administration succeeds.”

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Okpebholo reverses self, stops free bus service, gives reason

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, on Wednesday night, reversed his approval of free bus services across the state announced earlier in the day.

Initially announced on Wednesday morning as part of the state’s welfare initiatives, the decision to suspend the service was communicated later the same day.

The initial directive, as outlined in a press statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, stated that the free bus service would cover intra-city routes within Benin metropolis and inter-city routes across the three senatorial districts.

It was intended to reflect Okpebholo’s commitment to enhancing the welfare of Edo residents.

However, a subsequent statement from Itua late Wednesday night called for the earlier announcement to be disregarded.

“The earlier statement announcing the approval of free bus services by the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, should be disregarded,” he said.

The CPS explained that the governor was being briefed on operational issues within the Edo City Transport Service, which manages the free bus initiative.

However, a subsequent statement from Itua late Wednesday night called for the earlier announcement to be disregarded.

“The earlier statement announcing the approval of free bus services by the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, should be disregarded,” he said.

The CPS explained that the governor was being briefed on operational issues within the Edo City Transport Service, which manages the free bus initiative.

“For now, the free bus services have been placed on hold. A new decision by the governor will be communicated to the general public,” he said.

The reversal has raised questions about the operational and logistical challenges facing the programme, leaving residents awaiting further clarification on the state’s transportation policies

Earlier in an interview with The PUNCH, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Edo State chapter, Bernard Joman, had commended the governor, saying the gesture would help cushion the effect of the harsh economy on Edo commuters.

“It is a welcome development for the Edo Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress and to the people of the state. It will help to cushion the harsh economic conditions on the people and workers.

“The higher institution students have resumed and they will all be going to various destinations in the state and the free transportation will surely help them.

“I will urge the governor of the state, Senator Monday Okpehbolo, to ensure that the scheme is enduring so that the people and workers will benefit for a long time.”

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