Senator Monday Okphebholo and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, were officially sworn in as the Governor and Deputy Governor of Edo State. This marks Okphebholo as the fifth governor of the state since the Fourth Republic began in 1999.
The inauguration ceremony took place on Tuesday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, the state capital. It comes two months after the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the state election, securing their leadership in the Dennis Osadebay House.
In his inaugural speech, Governor Okphebholo announced the formation of a committee to investigate former Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration, specifically over its failure to inaugurate 14 elected Edo Assembly lawmakers into the 7th Assembly. Additionally, he directed the State Chief Judge to investigate Obaseki’s delay in swearing in judges who had been cleared by the National Judicial Council (NJC) last year.
There have been ongoing rumors about investigations into Obaseki’s administration. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly invited him for questioning, which he stated he would honor. The recent Edo election was highly controversial, with Okpebholo’s victory coming amidst tension between Obaseki and Adams Oshiomhole over control of the state’s governance.
The event was attended by high-profile dignitaries, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, former Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, and Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo, among others.
