Whether or not we accept the Supreme Court’s ruling concerning the disputed Edo State gubernatorial election of September 2024 is no longer the issue that should dominate our discourse. The apex court, in line with its constitutional authority, has declared that the election was not marred by irregularities and reaffirmed the mandate of Governor Monday Okpebholo. For all intents and purposes, this legal chapter has been concluded. The Nigerian judicial system is structured in such a way that the pronouncement of the Supreme Court marks the final word on all matters of litigation.
Now, the more pressing concern for the people of Edo State must shift to governance and inclusive development. However, genuine progress cannot occur in an environment riddled with ethnic division, mutual suspicion and political acrimony. Progress, by its very nature, requires a unifying vision, a shared commitment to growth, and above all, the political will to transcend partisan interests for the common good.
It is in this context that I believe the time has come for our opinion leaders, traditional authorities, political figures and civil society actors to begin issuing consistent messages of unity, reconciliation and collective purpose. Our revered monarchs, once known for their impartiality and fatherly disposition, must embody the wisdom and neutrality that are traditionally associated with the throne. Politicians must also learn that in moments of political tension, the actual test of leadership is not in consolidating victory, but in healing divisions and fostering peace.
Governor Monday Okpebholo must, at this critical juncture, view every senatorial district and ethnic bloc in Edo as his constituency. He must ensure that no community feels marginalised or forgotten. Development must not only be seen to be happening, it must be experienced across Esan, Etsako, Owan and the broader Edo South areas. Equity in governance is not a favour to be granted; it is a duty to be fulfilled.
It was with deep concern that I received the reported comments made by the highly respected Oba of Benin, in which he allegedly remarked that “his Enijies from Esan land worked against the governor” in the last election. Such a statement, no matter the context, was unnecessary, unhelpful and uncharacteristic of a royal institution known for its dignity and restraint. Traditional rulers ought to serve as unifiers, as fathers to all, rather than descend into the murky waters of electoral post-mortem.
Given the Oba’s distinguished career as a former diplomat, one would have expected a more nuanced and balanced approach to post-election commentary. Diplomacy, as Confucius once said, is founded upon wisdom and humility. He reminded us that “The superior man is modest in his speech but exceeds in his actions.” A monarch of such stature should not be seen to be inflaming division or fostering ethnic antagonism, especially at a time when the state requires healing and a sense of shared purpose.
Let it be said plainly. No traditional stool, however revered, should become a political weapon or a megaphone for factional sentiment. The governor must wisely avoid any utterances or actions that could alienate his people or create the impression that some groups are more entitled to his administration’s goodwill than others. The Esan people, in particular, are known for their resilience, self-determination and dignity. They have consistently made meaningful contributions to the development of Edo State and Nigeria as a whole, often without relying heavily on government patronage.
That said, the government bears the constitutional obligation to protect the rights and well-being of all citizens, regardless of their political affiliations or voting choices. No group should be punished for exercising their democratic rights. Governance must rise above electoral sentiments. It must be driven by justice, fairness and the recognition that every part of the state has an equal stake in its future.
We are rapidly departing the era when kings and traditional rulers confined themselves to ceremonial and spiritual roles, rarely making public pronouncements on partisan matters. Today, we see royal figures boldly stepping into political discussions, sometimes forgetting the gravity of their influence. This must be carefully managed. A king should never, metaphorically or otherwise, hold one of his children down for another to deliver a blow. That is not leadership. That is bias cloaked in tradition.
As Nelson Mandela once said, “A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination. But when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something very special.” Governor Okpebholo must now embody that special combination. He must be the governor who listens more to the voice of reason than the echoes of vengeance. He must ensure that his administration is remembered not for whom it favoured, but for how it transformed the state inclusively and progressively.
This is not the time to gloat. This is the time to govern. It is the season for bridge building, for mending fractured relationships, and for setting a tone of maturity, wisdom and measured leadership. Edo State stands at a crossroads. The governor has an opportunity to turn this chapter of electoral controversy into a launching pad for unity, peace and all-around development.
Let every stakeholder in the state do their part to support this new beginning. Let us elevate our conversations, respect our institutions, and work toward a more harmonious Edo. Let our traditional leaders reclaim their roles as peacemakers. Let our political leaders serve with honour and integrity.
And most importantly, let the government of the day ensure that no community is left behind.
May God bless Governor Okpebholo with the wisdom to lead justly, the humility to listen attentively, and the courage to act decisively in the interest of all Edo people.
May God bless Edo State.
Deacon Darlington Okpebholo Ray, MSc, CIPD, BAJ, Doctoral Researcher, is a London, England-based HR Expert, Civil, Socio-political rights activist, Writer and Journalist.