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Editor
Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has issued a detailed response to the recent criticisms by Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, the factional chairman of the PDP, describing the remarks as misleading and an attempt to distort the realities of governance in Edo State.
In a statement titled “One Year of Truth, Deliverance & Restoration in Edo State,” Ize-Iyamu defended the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo, insisting that the governor has restored accountability, peace, and tangible development in less than one year, surpassing the achievements of the previous administration.
According to him, Edo people have entered a new era marked by “hope, order, and genuine development,” contrasting sharply with what he described as “eight years of grand announcements and PowerPoint projections” under former Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Ize-Iyamu noted that even in Aziegbemi’s criticism, he inadvertently acknowledged ongoing developmental strides, particularly the Benin flyover project at Ramat Park, an initiative the former administration failed to initiate.
He emphasized the significance of the project in easing congestion along the Ikpoba Hill axis, describing it as evidence of Governor Okpebholo’s commitment to solving long-standing infrastructural problems with “visible, verifiable action.”
The APC chieftain reiterated that Governor Okpebholo’s electoral victory was emphatic, lawful, and affirmed at all levels of the judiciary.
He urged the opposition to accept the verdict of the people and stop what he called “bitterness, propaganda, and endless wailing.”
Ize-Iyamu recalled his own experiences contesting gubernatorial results in 2016 and 2020, noting that he always respected judicial outcomes even when he disagreed, emphasizing that Obaseki must do the same today.
He accused Obaseki of leaving Edo’s infrastructure in decay despite years of promises, claiming that the ex-governor focused on presentations rather than concrete development.
In contrast, he listed several achievements of the Okpebholo administration within one year: Ongoing construction of two major flyovers at Ramat Park and Adesuwa Junction; Rehabilitation of key roads across Edo South, Edo North, and Edo Central and Intervention on federal and local roads neglected for years among others.
He quoted Governor Okpebholo as saying, “A bad road does not ask who owns it before affecting Edo lives,” describing the approach as compassionate and people-centred.
The statement criticized Obaseki’s EDOBEST programme as “presentations without substance,” arguing that it failed to produce real results. He highlighted the employment of 5,000 teachers by the Okpebholo administration and the renovation of schools across the state, saying the governor prioritizes functional learning environments over slogans.
Pastor Ize-Iyamu accused the previous administration of crippling Ambrose Alli University through an illegal SIT, poor funding, and unjust dismissals. He stated that Governor Okpebholo has restored normalcy by releasing a monthly allocation increase from ₦41 million to ₦500 million; restoring proper governance structures; Installing a legitimate Vice Chancellor and reversing harmful policies that destabilized the institution
He also cited improvements at Edo State University, Uzairue, and Usen Polytechnic.
The statement alleged that Obaseki’s administration used “consultants” as fronts to siphon revenue.
He said Okpebholo has removed middlemen, tightened revenue channels, and revived state-owned enterprises, most notably New Edo Line, now having over 100 buses and new terminals.
Ize-Iyamu said insecurity festered under Obaseki, referencing Aziegbemi’s own kidnapping. He credited Okpebholo with improving safety through new patrol vehicles and motorbikes; enhanced community policing; night patrol support and aggressive action against cultism.
He listed several interventions introduced by Governor Okpebholo, including, ₦1 billion traders’ support fund; ₦1 billion bursary for students; reopening of the demolished Central Hospital; rebuilding Oba Market; restoring customary courts and swearing in judges and paying debts owed to dismissed staff of the College of Education, Ekiadolor
Ize-Iyamu described Obaseki as lacking compassion, noting he was called “Ematon (Iron)” by civil servants.
On Agriculture and MOWAA, the APC leader accused Obaseki of using agricultural programmes for land grabbing and criticized the opacity surrounding funding for the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA). He praised Okpebholo for focusing on real investments, farm empowerment, and increased funding for agriculture.
He lauded Governor Okpebholo for maintaining peaceful relations with all arms of government, contrasting it with Obaseki’s confrontations with traditional rulers, the legislature, and the judiciary.
Pastor Ize-Iyamu concluded that the achievements of the Okpebholo administration within one year far exceed Obaseki’s eight-year record, describing the ongoing transformation as “the restoration of the soul of governance in Edo State.”
He urged Edo people to remain steadfast in their support, saying the state has entered a new season of fairness, peace, and development.
He declared, “Those who supervised eight years of emptiness will always tremble before one year of progress,”
