Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has dismissed claims that former governor and Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, is a political dictator. Contrary to perceptions held by some of his critics, Okpebholo described Oshiomhole as a leader who respects his independence in governance.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Okpebholo praised Oshiomhole for his non-interference in the state’s affairs.
“Even the man that they say is a dictator is not dictating anything; I am seeing a different Oshiomhole. Oshiomhole is giving me a free hand,” the governor said. “Whenever I want to talk to him, he will say: ‘My son, I know how you feel, just do it your way.’ But I will say: ‘Sir, I won’t do it in my way, please advise me,’ and he advises me, and most of the advice turns out to be something positive. You cannot be an island; you have to carry everybody along.”
‘No Godfathers Control Me’ – Okpebholo
The governor also dismissed speculations that he was handpicked by political godfathers to be remote-controlled in office. He attributed his rise to power to divine intervention rather than political manipulation.
“Can you even point out one godfather who was pushing me?” he asked when confronted with claims of political sponsorship. “God was using people to help me, to support me, to get to where I am today.”
Okpebholo, who emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, defeated Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) in the September 21, 2024 governorship election. He was sworn in as governor on November 12, 2024, succeeding Godwin Obaseki of the PDP, whose tenure lasted eight years.
A Hard-Fought Victory for Okpebholo
Okpebholo’s journey to the Dennis Osadebe Government House was far from smooth. As a former Edo Central Senator, he leveraged his influence in his senatorial district while also forging a powerful alliance with Oshiomhole to defeat Ighodalo, the candidate backed by Obaseki.
His victory was further strengthened by his running mate, Dennis Idahosa, a former federal lawmaker, as well as Philip Shaibu, Obaseki’s former deputy, who fell out with the ex-governor.
The APC had lost control of Edo State in 2020 when Obaseki defected to the PDP following a fierce intra-party battle with Oshiomhole. After being denied the APC ticket, Obaseki secured the PDP nomination and won his second term by defeating Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the APC.
During the 2024 election campaign, Obaseki threw his full weight behind Ighodalo, while Oshiomhole actively championed Okpebholo’s candidacy, making appearances at rallies and in media interviews to solidify support for the APC candidate.
As Okpebholo settles into office, political observers will be keenly watching whether his administration truly remains independent or if Oshiomhole’s influence will shape key decisions in the coming months.
