Governance Is Not a Popularity Contest

By Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele

Politics is inevitable just as facts are indispensable. However when the two collide, responsible citizens know that facts own the day. And also generally for politics in our climes, it has become the reality for perception to be manufactured long before facts are examined. This is the new norm for those who want to malign Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo over his recent diaspora engagements and security policies. A baggage of weird allegations has been presented as truth, whereas a closer look reveals a different story.

Let’s take the governor’s recent Glasgow engagement. It was actually the Edo State Global Investment Summit held in Glasgow, and brought together investors, development partners and members of the Edo diaspora to discuss ideas, perspectives, investment opportunities and strategies for economic growth. As scheduled, it generated discussions on partnerships and investment, and was so reported. How it’s critics woke up a conclusion that the summit collapsed, was disrupted or became an embarrassment to the state is unimaginable!

Take the very unconvincing argument that by his engagements which are native to the office, Governor Okpebholo is desperately trying to outshine his predecessor, by organising such diaspora meetings. Edo diaspora predated his predecessor just as governance cannot not be reduced to a scoreboard of who visited more cities abroad. Moreover the claims that the man engaged Edo people in the diaspora has no publicly verifiable record. Nevertheless those who label his many private trips abroad for selfish gains also know that no governor in Nigeria has matched such ridiculous feat to date.

For the avoidance of doubts, Governor Okpebholo’s approach has roots in institutional planning rather than political rivalry. His administration’s appointment of a Special Adviser on Diaspora Affairs which birthed structured diaspora programmes, including a UK town hall tour and the Edo SHINE 2026 initiative are policy-driven engagements designed to strengthen relationships with Edo professionals and investors abroad. It is not a surprise that such a concept is alien to the cranial capacity of his critics. Unknown to them the creation of enduring institutions that the governor has embarked on cannot an act of desperation.

It is also misleading to claim that no cultist has been convicted or jailed despite the governor began his campaign against the twin evil which festered under his predecessor’s purview namely cultism and kidnapping. That argument ignores both the law and the timeline. The Edo State Special Criminal Court dedicated to cultism and kidnapping cases only began operations in July 2026 and immediately began hearing high-profile criminal cases, with prosecutors presenting evidence and witnesses. Criminal trials do not end the moment charges are filed. They proceed through investigation, arraignment, prosecution, defence and judgment. Demanding convictions from a court that has only recently commenced operations betrays either a misunderstanding of the judicial process or a deliberate attempt to sell falsehood.

On the demolition of certain buildings, fact is the decision and action has not been indiscriminate or targeted innocent families’ homes. Properties demolished so far by the Edo State Government were identified by security agencies as locations linked to criminal activities, including cult operations, kidnapping and involving murder. One such property in Uromi, Sean Northeast Local government was demolished after security operatives discovered the decomposing body of a gateman and recovered evidence pointing to cult-related activities. In other instances, affected buildings served as operational bases for criminal networks. Presenting the exercise as random punishment of innocent relatives ignores the government’s stated basis for the action.

It is equally speculative to argue that Edo people in the diaspora are now afraid to invest because of the government’s security measures. No credible data has been presented to demonstrate a collapse in diaspora investment or a wave of investors abandoning the state. On the contrary, officials responsible for diaspora affairs have publicly stated that the administration’s engagement strategy has renewed confidence among Edo people abroad and encouraged greater participation in the state’s development agenda. Such statements may be challenged, but they cannot simply be dismissed and replaced with unsupported assumptions.

None of this position mean the Governor Okpebholo administration should be immune from criticism. Democracies thrive when governments are held accountable. Questions should continue to be asked about public spending, security operations and respect for the rule of law. But accountability loses its value when criticism abandons facts in favour of political storytelling.

The difference between journalism and propaganda is evidence. Journalism verifies. Propaganda assumes. Journalism distinguishes between allegation and fact. Propaganda blurs that distinction to achieve a political objective.

Governor Okpebholo’s record should be judged on measurable outcomes: whether security improves, whether investments increase, whether infrastructure expands and whether the lives of Edo people become better. Those are legitimate tests of leadership. What should not pass as public debate are claims unsupported by verifiable evidence or arguments built on speculation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ebojele, PhD in public administration, is the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State.