₦airaland Forum

*Edo Governor’s Power Play: Disrespecting the Oba, Silencing Critics*

Governor Monday Okpebholo has shocked Edo State’s political and traditional circles by suspending Hon. Samson Osagie, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, and Hon. Damian Lawani, Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission. While the government claims “grave official and financial infractions,” insiders allege this is a calculated purge of dissenters and a desperate bid for control.

Hon. Samson Osagie’s suspension is seen as a direct affront to His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II of Benin, who nominated him for the role. Sources reveal the Oba was neither consulted nor informed—a grave breach of Edo’s traditional governance norms and a betrayal of the monarch’s political support for Okpebholo. Adding to the controversy, Osagie was in Abuja at the time, assisting the governor’s legal team in defending his contested gubernatorial mandate.

Power, Betrayal, and Chaos

Insiders suggest Osagie’s removal stems from his consistent opposition to the governor’s unlawful handling of local government affairs. He reportedly clashed with Okpebholo’s “coterie of lawless clowns”—including Andrew Emwanta, Jarret Tenebe, Kelly Okungbowa (Ebo Stone), Philip Shaibu, and their ringleader, Adams Oshiomhole—over their blatant disregard for due process in removing local government chairmen.

The final straw was a lawsuit, allegedly filed by Speaker Blessing Agbebaku against ousted local government chairmen, which Agbebaku publicly disavowed. The debacle left Okpebholo searching for a scapegoat, with Osagie—an inconveniently principled critic—taking the fall.

Barr. Andrew Emwanta is said to be lobbying aggressively for Osagie’s position, though insiders suggest Barr. Augusta Ikpea-Enaholo, daughter of billionaire Lee Ikpea, is the likely successor. Her previous appointment as DG of the Edo State Health Insurance Commission had sparked protests due to her lack of required medical expertise.

Meanwhile, Hon. Damian Lawani’s suspension reportedly involves allegations of soliciting N100 million from acting local government chairmen, further exposing the murky dealings of the Okpebholo administration.

A Kingdom Scorned

Suspending a nominee of the Oba of Benin is unprecedented and threatens to strain the delicate relationship between the state government and the revered throne. The Oba remains a powerful symbol of cultural authority, and any slight against him or his appointees risks provoking outrage.

Adding to this tension are growing allegations that Okpebholo and his Edo North backers, led by Sen. Adams Oshiomhole, are sidelining the Binis—once the central power bloc in Edo State.

Is this a desperate attempt to consolidate power, even at the cost of alienating the Oba and Edo’s traditional institutions? Or part of a broader strategy to neutralize opposition?

Whatever the motive, Governor Okpebholo has unleashed a wave of political and traditional unrest that may have far-reaching consequences for his administration.

Time will tell if this gambit was worth the cost.

Omorodion Omoruyi writes from Benin city

https://leaders.ng/2025/02/06/edo-governors-power-play-disrespecting-the-oba-silencing-critics/

,two things make me no say dis guv go flop..
On him own swearing in day
1.Hin forget to sew agbada for himself
Na DSS people borrow am coat from dia own asoebi
2.to read money wey Dem don write am for u in words n figures na problem

Dis Edo state una too like problem we go soon carry una dash cameroun

political stories

APc is a bed of strange bed fellows. What held them together was their dislike for Obaseki, who refused to be held bound by Adams.
The Oba supported them (APC), i wish them the best.

Adams destroyed Edo with nepotism, and wicht hunting perceived political enemies, hope this governor will do better.

Obaseki disrespected Oba
Now Okpebholo disrespected Oba
Nonsense. Leave the man alone and let him focus on governance

Lol
Nobody send Edo people message.
Na dem wan teach Obaseki lesson

Yawns

Well well well, I'm from Edo state and been here for years too, I never supported this APC fraudulent government, so it's confusion and dissolvement is a source of JOY for me ..

Oba time don pass! Everything shouldn't be about these guys plz.

How will a revered first class king be involved in politics to the point of nominating a commissioner?

Iam an Edo man, and this article is nonsense. No commissioner is sacred regardless of who nominated them

The final straw was a lawsuit, allegedly filed by Speaker Blessing Agbebaku against ousted local government chairmen, which Agbebaku publicly disavowed. The debacle left Okpebholo searching for a scapegoat, with Osagie—an inconveniently principled critic—taking the fall.

The Governor was desperate and seem to have made a serious miscalculation. Let's see how the Oba of Benin will respond.

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Always looking for trouble where there's none.

Stop distracting him please

If the governor wanted to disrespect the oba,he would have removed the oba's daughter he appointed into the oil and gas development agency.I don't know what happened to Samson Osagie yet,I need to call my guys in govt house to know what's happening.

Washington Osifo is the other commissioner from the same LGA as Samson Osagie.

Beer parlour write up... SMH

ona go hear am

Na me dey sub my guy wey Local government staff since this change of government Na December salary he see last.

Another game of thrones has started in Edo state. Make Una continue. Let's see where this pans out to.

Na wah.... why will Oba of Benin get involve in politics, these politicians go soon begin dey rubbish am oh!

It's well if the Oba supported APC. It's a family affair 🤣

Rating:
The Governor was desperate and seem to have made a serious miscalculation. Let's see how the Oba of Benin will respond.

Respond as what?
You guys take political propaganda too serious.

hisexcellency34:
Obaseki disrespected Oba
Now Okpebholo disrespected Oba
Nonsense. Leave the man alone and let him focus on governance

Imagine them saying the Oba was not consulted before sacking the Attorney General. Who the Bleep is the Oba that will warrant a State governor to consult before sacking his appointees? Is the Oba of Benin greater than the State governor? If Oba self do anyhow, him go collect.

I thought the Oba supported him

Ọbá should rest and let the governor do his part. The oba should concentrate on the traditional institution and let the governor be. During obaseki, it was still oba this oba that. Enough is enough

It's all a game

We have not been hearing from Akpakomiza recently. What is the situation with him?

ogugwa1992:
*Edo Governor’s Power Play: Disrespecting the Oba, Silencing Critics*


https://leaders.ng/2025/02/06/edo-governors-power-play-disrespecting-the-oba-silencing-critics/

The writer is a goat. Even if Oba nominated him which I am not even sure, so if there is an allegation, the governor has no right to suspend like he does and do proper investigation. Which position Benin's will held that is higher than office of governor for eight years. Under Obaseki, the SSG and Chief of staff in is second term were Benin's. Most of the important positions were held by them under Obaseki tenure. It's turn of Edo central.

Nokio2:
,two things make me no say dis guv go flop..
On him own swearing in day
1.Hin forget to sew agbada for himself
Na DSS people borrow am coat from dia own asoebi
2.to read money wey Dem don write am for u in words n figures na problem

Dis Edo state una too like problem we go soon carry una dash cameroun

Is that him wearing DSS aso ebi on his swearing-in day? Lol.

Jorussia:
If the governor wanted to disrespect the oba,he would have removed the oba's daughter he appointed into the oil and gas development agency.I don't know what happened to Samson Osagie yet,I need to call my guys in govt house to know what's happening.

Washington Osifo is the other commissioner from the same LGA as Samson Osagie.

Don't mind the writer cos he just want to whip ethnic sentiment. Even if Oba nominated, did he ask him to be involved as allegedly accused of corruption.