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Okpebholo takes over in Edo, appoints Oshiomhole’s son into cabineT
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo and the Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, were sworn in on Tuesday in Benin City.
Following his victory in the state governorship election held on September 21, 2024, Okpebholo officially took over from former Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Amid heavy crowd and security presence, Okpebholo, accompanied by his two daughters, took the oath of office and allegiance at 1:00 pm administered by the state Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.
Earlier, Idahosa, accompanied by his wife, mounted the podium to take the oath as the deputy governor of the state.
The governor later went ahead to inspect the guard of honour as well as a parade by the officers and men of the Nigeria Police.
Supporters of the party at the stadium cheered all through the oath-taking exercise meant to usher in the new administration in the state.
Speaking after his swearing-in, Okpebholo unveiled a five-point agenda for the development of the state.
In his inaugural speech, he pledged to prioritise security, infrastructure, healthcare, food sufficiency, and education.
The governor declared war on criminals, saying the era of incessant kidnapping and other violent crimes was over.
“Our citizens are a top priority for us. To achieve this, we shall implement programmes carefully outlined in my five-point agenda, designed to grow robust economic growth and improve the lives of our people.
“We will not betray this confidence you have reposed in me and the Deputy Governor, Rt. Honourable Dennis Idahosa,” Okpebholo said.
Bemoaning incessant cases of kidnapping and other crimes, the governor said his administration would be firm in dealing with criminals and improve the security of the state.
“For a long time now, our people have become victims of kidnapping and other violent crimes.
“To end this ugly situation, we will be firm in dealing with criminals and improve the security of our land, so that farming and other business activities will flourish again.
“The deplorable condition of our roads has made it difficult for people to move from one part of the state to another.
“Our policy to develop road infrastructure is targeted at constructing roads, drainages, and bridges to ease transportation for all.
“We shall immediately commence work to make the roads passable again.
“We are also ready to partner with the Federal Government, the private sector, non-governmental organisations, those in the diaspora, and other stakeholders, to develop our state across all sectors,” he said.
The governor promised that the new administration would support small businesses and market women with soft loans.
“Our teeming youthful population will not be left out. We shall support them in acquiring relevant skills for self-empowerment.
“My administration shall immediately swing into action to recruit teachers and rebuild the deplorable classrooms.
“Tertiary education will be strengthened in many ways, too, to ensure quality education,” Okpebholo added.
He added, “Fellow citizens, my administration is ready to link communities that have not yet been connected to the national grid to ensure that they have electricity.
“Our traditional institution shall be given the necessary support to play their role as custodians of our rich cultural heritage.
“It is in recognition of this that my administration shall support the decision of the Federal Government to uphold the Oba of Benin as the exclusive owner of the returned artefacts, which were looted by British colonial forces during the Benin Massacre of 1897,” he said.
He promised to work closely with other arms of government to strengthen democracy and good governance in the state.
The governor also announced a panel of inquiry into the remote cause of the failure to inaugurate 14 members-elect of the House of Assembly in 2019.
Okpebholo names new appointees
The governor appointed Dr Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, son of the former governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole, as the Commissioner for Health-designate.
In a press statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, on Tuesday, the governor also appointed Musa Ikhilor as the Secretary to State Government and a former member of the House of Representatives, Samson Osagie, as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice-designate.
Cyril’s academic journey began at St. Anne’s Primary School, followed by Command Secondary School.
He later pursued higher education at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery.
He enrolled at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, where he obtained a Master of Science in Public Health, majoring in Environmental Health, Toxicology, and Disaster Management.
His academic pursuits continued at Harvard University, Boston, where he underwent postgraduate training in Clinical Research and at Queen Mary University, London, where he studied Gastroenterology.
Ikhilor was born on the 6th of August 1980 at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State.
He attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained an LL.B in 2008 (Second class Upper Division). In 2009, he obtained a B.L. (Second Class Upper Division) at the Nigerian Law School and was enrolled as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In 2017, Ikhilor proceeded to acquire his Masters degree in Telecommunications Law (LL.M) from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
He has over 11 years of experience in legislative drafting, parliamentary administration, lawmaking procedures and processes, constitutional drafting and amendment, and general legislative governance issues working in various capacities at the National Assembly.
In 2019, he was appointed a Consultant to the House of Representatives on the review of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, where he had been closely analysing and reviewing matters on gender equity, human rights, strengthening institutions of government and creating efficient and transparent processes and systems to deliver good governance.
Also in 2019, he was appointed as Senior Special Assistant and later Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives who also doubled as the first Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament.
In May 2022, he was assigned to act as the Chief of Staff to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives when the substantive Chief of Staff resigned to contest in the 2023 parliamentary elections.
In June 2022, Ikhilor was appointed by the Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a Notary Public.
He is active in business, corporate legal practice and social works where he serves as the Managing Partner of Springfield Legal Consult and as the Executive Director and Board of Trustees member of Amana Legacy Foundation.
“In addition to these roles, he also provides consultancy services to several private and public sector entities. He is married and union blessed with children,” the statement read.
Itua said Osagie, the nominee for Attorney-General, is a private legal practitioner, having been called to the Nigerian Bar on March 22, 1995.
He is also the current Vice President of the African Bar Association (West Africa).
Born on November 11, 1967, Osagie hails from the Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State.
He was a two-term member of the Edo State House of Assembly and also the House of Representatives where he rose to the position of the Minority Whip.
He has been involved in intensive legal practice across Nigeria and the African continent.
He holds a first degree in Law from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, a qualifying Certificate for Law practice from the Nigerian Law School, and triple Master’s degrees in Law, Public Administration and International Relations.
He also bagged a Doctorate in Political Economy and Development Studies.
He has been a legal adviser, solicitor, and consultant to many corporate organisations and development partners.
Tinubu congratulates Okpebholo
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday extended his heartfelt congratulations to Okpebholo on his inauguration as the Edo State governor.
Tinubu conveyed his felicitations through a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga.
The statement is titled “President Tinubu congratulates Senator Okpebholo on Edo governorship inauguration.”
In his message, the President urged Okpebholo to diligently work to enhance the living standards of the people of Edo State and make a significant impact during his tenure.
Reflecting on the transition, the President noted that after eight years under Obaseki’s administration, Edo State was rejoining the ranks of the All Progressives Congress.
“He emphasised the importance of Governor Okpebholo justifying the confidence placed in him and the APC while fostering true democracy and effective governance in the state.
“The President encouraged Okpebholo to empower the legislature and other vital government institutions throughout his administration, underscoring that a robust and independent legislature is essential for achieving democratic good governance,” the statement read.
Expressing concerns, Tinubu lamented the previous administration’s attempts to undermine the legislative branch, which hindered its effectiveness for much of its tenure.
Additionally, Tinubu commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for the successful conduct of the Edo State governorship election and encouraged the commission to strive for even greater excellence in the upcoming Ondo State governorship election, scheduled for November 16, 2024.
The President celebrated this milestone as a new chapter in Edo State’s democratic journey and rejoiced with the people of Edo for this momentous occasion.
As Okpebholo and Idahosa were sworn in, Tinubu assured Nigerians that the nation’s most challenging economic period was now behind them.
In his address, Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, celebrated what he termed “democracy in its truest form,” stressing the significance of the popular will in shaping Nigeria’s political landscape.
Shettima leads delegation
Vice President Shettima led the Federal Government delegation to grace the inauguration.
Shettima was joined by governors across the country, who were elected on the platform of the APC.
The governors included AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Hope Uzodimma of Imo, Bassey Otu of Cross River, and Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto, among others.
The National Chairman of the APC, Dr Umar Ganduje and his predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole, were also part of the ceremony, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin.
Other dignitaries included the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, among many others.
Parliament calls for youth inclusion
The Edo State Youth Parliament has urged Okpebholo to include youths in his government.
They promised to support the new administration in building a prosperous and inclusive future for the people of the state.
The Chairman of the State Youth Parliament, Fawaz Muhammad, at the inauguration ceremony on Tuesday, congratulated the governor and his deputy, expressing confidence that this would be the beginning of a new era of impactful leadership in the state.
He also expressed the parliament’s readiness to support the new administration in achieving its set objectives for the people of the state.
He said, “The Edo State Youth Parliament is calling on the new governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to include youths in his government, as they are ready to support the new administration in building a prosperous and inclusive future for the people of the state.
“We congratulate the governor and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa. We are confident that this will be the beginning of a new era of impactful leadership in the state.
“We believe that under your leadership, Edo State will experience significant advancements in youth development, education, economic empowerment, and community welfare.
“We are confident that this administration will bring hope, opportunity, and progress to every young person in Edo State.
“In this spirit, we humbly encourage your administration to prioritise youth inclusivity within the cabinet and in policies that impact our state.
“By engaging the perspectives and energy of Edo youths, this administration has the unique opportunity of fostering a more innovative, united, and dynamic state.”
Obaseki in Lagos, aide says
An aide to Obaseki has denied claims in some media outlets that the former governor has fled the country.
The aide, who craved anonymity, told The PUNCH that Obaseki was in Lagos on Sunday, where he was hosted by friends and business associates.
He also stated that the governor, in a broadcast on Monday night, spoke to the Edo people, thanking them for the support they gave him while he was in the saddle.
He noted that the former governor was passionate about Edo and he would always be a regular feature in the state.
He said, “There is no truth that the former governor has fled the country. There is no need for him to do that. His friends hosted him in Lagos on Sunday and he spoke to the Edo people in a broadcast on Monday.
“It is mischievous to say that Obaseki has run away from the country. He will remain in Nigeria and still support the Edo people.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a thorough investigation into the activities of a “Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council” (PFIPC) and all related matters.
According to a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga,Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), the President directed that the investigation be concluded and a comprehensive report submitted to him within 30 days.
The directive follows the discovery of the fictitious PFIPC, which was never established by the Federal Government of Nigeria and has no basis in any law, presidential instrument, executive approval, or other lawful act of Government.
One Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew presented himself as the Director-General of the so-called PFIPC and falsely claimed to be a presidential appointee.
Among the issues to be investigated by the ICPC are the forged appointment letters and other official government documents; the use of a false claim of presidential appointment to seek or obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation; and the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents.
President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate not only the conduct of the principal individual and other collaborators involved but also the wider circumstances that may have enabled a fictitious body and a false claim of presidential appointment to acquire an appearance of official legitimacy.
The investigation is to examine the provenance and use of false official documents; the processes through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought or obtained; the opening and operation of any related bank accounts; the source and movement of any funds involved; and the role of any public officer, private individual, financial institution, intermediary or other person or entity that may have facilitated, enabled or participated in the alleged scheme.
The President further directed the Commission to identify any weaknesses in government and institutional procedures that may have been exploited and to recommend immediate measures to prevent the recurrence of similar abuses.
All ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government have been directed to provide the ICPC, upon lawful request, with all relevant information, records and assistance required for the expeditious completion of the investigation.
President Tinubu stated that the integrity of the Presidency and the institutions of the Federal Government must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and the exploitation of weaknesses in the public service.
The President directed that all persons found culpable be treated strictly in accordance with applicable law.
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Xenophobia: Nigerian lawmakers reject calls to use proceeds from MTN, DStv to compensate victims
The Senate on Tuesday rejected calls by some of its members to nationalise South African companies operating in Nigeria and use the proceeds from the firms to compensate Nigerians who suffered losses during xenophobic attacks in that country.
The upper chamber reached the decision after a majority of senators rejected the proposal through a voice vote during plenary while debating a motion on the continued attacks and killings of Nigerians in South Africa.
The motion was sponsored by Cross River South Senator, Asuquo Ekpenyong.
Among the South African companies operating in Nigetia are MTN, a telecom giant and DStv, a pay television service owned by MultiChoice Group.
During the debate, Lagos Central Senator, Wasiu Eshinlokun, urged the Senate to consider nationalising the companies.
Mr Eshinlokun, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), lamented the continued killings of Nigerians and the destruction of their properties in South Africa.
Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, supported the proposal, arguing that rather than merely expressing grief over the attacks, lawmakers should adopt measures that would affect South Africa’s economy.
Mr Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo State, recalled that the Senate had earlier resolved to send a delegation to South Africa to engage with its government over the killings but said nothing had been done since the resolution was adopted.
Bauchi Central Senator, Abdul Ningi also backed the proposal, saying Nigeria should adopt stronger diplomatic measures instead of continued engagement.
However, the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, rejected the proposal, arguing that the circumstances surrounding the attacks should first be properly investigated before Nigeria takes any action.
Mr Jibrin, an APC senator, who represents Kano North Senatorial District, acknowledged that many Nigerians had lost their lives and properties but maintained that Nigeria must act cautiously.
“Killing people in the name of protest is not something that should be accepted. It is unacceptable, we cannot allow that but then we need to be careful, particularly because we live in Africa, we set the pace. Whatever we want to do, we need to be very careful,” he said.
The deputy senate president also addressed reports that the South African government had refused to compensate victims, saying decisions should not be based on social media posts.
“What Senator Adams Oshiomhole said, sometimes, we don’t take things that are said on social media to analyse the situation. I saw what he is talking about. What the minister was saying was that those who live in illegal settlements will not be paid anything because they illegally occupied those areas. But those who have titles, nobody will take those titles away from them, nobody will take their properties from them even if they have been displaced.
“The government (of SA) should be bold enough to say we have been threatened by some certain people who are conspiring to destabilise our nation. The president (of SA) should come out to tell the world. Maybe after the committee has done its work, maybe we will find it necessary to advise the South African government,” he said.
Mr Jibrin subsequently urged the three senators to withdraw their proposals and instead allow the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs to investigate the attacks and report back in two weeks.
This is not the first time lawmakers have debated attacks on Nigerians in South Africa. There have also been previous calls to revoke the operating licences of MTN Group, DStv and other South African companies doing business in Nigeria.
On 5 May, the Senate resolved to send a delegation to South Africa as part of diplomatic efforts to find a lasting solution to the attacks.
It agreed at the time that the delegation would comprise members of both chambers of the National Assembly and would be led by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
The delegation was expected to engage with the South African government and the leadership of its parliament to seek an end to the attacks on Nigerians. However, it is not clear whether the lawmakers delegation visited South Africa because there are no public records of such visitation.
In recent weeks, violent protests have erupted in parts of South Africa, targeting African migrants, including Nigerians. Videos circulating on social media show mobs attacking foreigners, with several Nigerians reportedly killed.
There are also allegations that security officials failed to intervene in some of the attacks. Two Nigerians were reportedly killed in April by personnel of the South African National Defence Force in Port Elizabeth.
One victim, Ekpenyong Andrew, was arrested and later found dead in Pretoria, while another, Amaramiro Emmanuel, died from injuries allegedly sustained during an attack by security personnel.
The government however has repatriated several Nigerians from South Africa due to the violence.
The motion
Presenting the motion, Mr Ekpenyong condemned the attacks and urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to obtain written assurances from the South African government on the safety and protection of Nigerians living in the country.
He also called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for violence, intimidation, looting and unlawful immigration enforcement.
The senator further urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission and the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa to strengthen emergency consular support and establish a verified register of Nigerians who have suffered death, injury, displacement, unlawful detention, or loss of businesses and property to facilitate legal redress, restitution and compensation.
He also called on the federal government to work with other affected African countries and relevant organs of the African Union to establish an effective early warning and accountability mechanism to prevent xenophobic violence and protect African migrants.
The Enugu State Police Command has impounded no fewer than 195 vehicles across the state for violating registration and number plate regulations, warning that all offending motorists will be prosecuted in court.
The enforcement exercise, led by the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, formed part of the nationwide crackdown on unregistered vehicles and those operating with covered, defaced, obscured, improperly affixed, unauthorised or missing number plates.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the police said the operation targeted vehicles contravening the provisions of the National Road Traffic Regulations and other extant laws.
According to the command, the impounded vehicles include those that were not registered, those bearing covered, defaced, obscured, unauthorised or improperly affixed number plates, as well as vehicles operating with only one number plate instead of the legally required two.
“The affected vehicle owners will be charged to court and prosecuted accordingly,” the statement said.
Commending officers who participated in the operation, CP Giwa described the exercise as professional and reminded motorists of their legal obligation to comply with vehicle registration and number plate regulations.
He warned that the enforcement would be sustained across the state, stressing that violators would continue to face prosecution.
“The Command will sustain the enforcement and ensure that all offenders are prosecuted in accordance with the law,” the Commissioner stated.
CP Giwa explained that the operation followed the recent directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, mandating all state police commands to strictly enforce the nationwide ban on unregistered vehicles and prosecute offenders.
According to him, the directive was necessitated by the growing security concerns associated with such vehicles, which are frequently used in criminal activities while also violating existing traffic regulations.
The Commissioner also issued a stern warning to police personnel participating in the exercise, cautioning that any officer found engaging in extortion, harassment or any other form of misconduct would face severe disciplinary sanctions.
He equally urged motorists operating unregistered vehicles or using covered, defaced, obscured, unauthorised or improperly affixed number plates, except where permitted by law, to immediately comply with all relevant regulations.
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