By: Rufus Alele Ccfr
It is laughable, though not surprising, to see the former Media Adviser to the immediate past governor, Godwin Obaseki, Crusoe Osagie, embark on a fruitless exercise of maligning the nascent administration of Senator Monday Okpebholo. His article, Okpebholo’s 30 Days of Retrogression, reeks of desperation, bitterness, and a desperate attempt to distract from the abysmal failures of the previous administration he served.
Budget Presentation: Twisting Facts to Fit a Narrative
Osagie’s obsession with the viral clip of the governor during the budget presentation is emblematic of the opposition’s inability to address substantive governance issues. The governor’s brief pause to clarify figures-a mark of transparency and attention to detail-is being mischievously spun into an allegation of incompetence. Unlike his predecessor, who read verbose speeches filled with unattainable promises, Okpebholo’s focus remains on accuracy, substance, and delivering a budget tailored to the real needs of the Edo people.
Inherited Challenges: A Legacy of Failure
Osagie conveniently glosses over the shambolic state in which Obaseki left the state. From a staggering debt profile to abandoned projects masquerading as achievements, the previous administration’s failures were glaring. Senator Okpebholo has spent his first month in office disentangling the state from the web of mismanagement and deceit Obaseki and his cohorts wove during their tenure.
While Obaseki’s administration ignored core infrastructural needs, Okpebholo is redirecting efforts to projects that genuinely impact Edo citizens, such as the Ramat Park overhead bridge and improved road networks.
Streetlights and Security: Exposing the Truth
Osagie’s lamentation about non-functional streetlights is ironic. Who should be blamed for commissioning a streetlight project without a sustainable maintenance plan? Okpebholo inherited a dysfunctional system but has taken swift steps to restructure the power supply contracts to restore streetlights across major roads. Security remains paramount, and concrete plans to improve surveillance and community policing are underway-a stark contrast to Obaseki’s empty rhetoric.
Edo Health Insurance Scheme: Lies and Propaganda
The claim that the Edo Health Insurance Scheme is in disarray under Okpebholo’s watch is another blatant falsehood. The program suffered severe neglect under the previous administration, as hospitals were already pulling out due to delayed payments. Senator Okpebholo is diligently renegotiating with providers to ensure the scheme’s sustainability, prioritizing healthcare for all Edo residents.
Economic Revitalization: Rebuilding from the Ashes
Osagie’s comments about the state’s economy crumbling reflect either ignorance or deliberate misrepresentation. The economy was already on life support after Obaseki’s tenure, marked by stifling policies, over-taxation, and economic stagnation. In just 30 days, Senator Okpebholo has initiated reforms to stimulate Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), promote small businesses, and attract investments-actions that will yield dividends in due course.
The Lions, Tigers, and the Real Puppeteers
Osagie’s laughable insinuation that the governor is beholden to political godfathers is the height of hypocrisy. Was Obaseki not the same man who used state resources to settle political allies during his infamous fallout with his former benefactor? Okpebholo’s administration is not only independent but is also focused on delivering a people-oriented government devoid of the cabalistic tendencies that characterized the previous administration.
The Way Forward for Edo State
Rather than resort to baseless attacks and propaganda, Osagie and his ilk should channel their energies into constructive criticism. Edo people deserve better than the divisive politics of the past. Senator Monday Okpebholo’s administration is committed to uniting Edo State, addressing infrastructural decay, and creating opportunities for all. His leadership style emphasizes humility, service, and accountability-qualities absent in the last eight years.
A Final Word
Crusoe Osagie’s outburst is nothing but the desperate cry of an individual unable to accept the dawn of a new era. Edo people have rejected the deceit and mediocrity of the past and embraced a future filled with hope under Senator Monday Okpebholo. Osagie’s tirade will not deter the administration from its mandate to transform Edo State into a haven of development, progress, and prosperity.
To Osagie and his fellow detractors: Edo State has moved on. It is time you do the same.
Rufus Alele Ccfr
Concern Citizen of the Federal Republic (Ccfr)
