Senator Monday Okpebholo, the APC gubernatorial candidate, is quickly emerging as a man of uncommon grace, as evidenced not only by his climb to become the party's flagbearer, but also by the path that led him to the Senate. However, many people have underestimated him, saying that he speaks slowly and lacks fluency in English.
Firstly, English, as a foreign language, is mastered to varying degrees by different individuals, particularly by non-native speakers. In this context, some critics, driven by the opposition, have unjustly characterized Okpebholo as lacking intelligence merely because his English fluency is not as strong as that of their favored candidate.
It is ironic that Asue Ighodalo, who boasts about his eloquence in English, struggles with his own mother tongue, which is supposed to be his first language. Despite this, he is not considered dull. Meanwhile, Senator Monday Okpebholo, who is proficient in both his native language and English, is unfairly labeled as lacking intelligence.
Senator Okpebholo may not speak English with the same commanding presence as others, but this does not reflect on his intelligence. His success as a business leader, entrepreneur and IT specialist highlights his exceptional intellect and resourcefulness. Additionally, his journey as a senator and his consistent philanthropic efforts show that he is a genuinely good and capable individual.
For example, during a security crisis in Esanland, Asue Ighodalo only provided 100,000 Naira, while Okpebholo gave over 5 million Naira and vehicles to support local security efforts. This kind of action doesn’t require impressive language skills to make a difference.
Similarly, when Esanland faced water and transportation issues, Okpebholo took tangible action by providing free bus rides, clean water, and support for basic infrastructure. In contrast, despite his position as the boss of Sterling Bank, Asue Ighodalo couldn’t even influence a single bank branch in the region. This highlights that real impact comes from effective actions, not just impressive words.
As a senator, Okpebholo demonstrated this further by advocating for the repair of the Benin-Abuja highway and making significant contributions that caught the attention of the Federal Government.Once again, he attained his goals by practical action rather than fantastic talk.
Edo State needs a leader who embodies the fear of God and a deep love for the people—someone who will prioritize real progress over empty promises. We require a governor who will focus on essential infrastructure, efficient transportation, reliable electricity, improved education, effective sanitation, and other fundamental amenities. We cannot afford to be led by someone who merely signs dubious MOUs without delivering tangible results.
Edo State needs a leader who delivers real progress, not just empty promises. Senator Monday Okpebholo’s proven track record of impactful contributions and effective leadership contrasts sharply with the limited achievements of Asue Ighodalo and the unfulfilled promises of Governor Obaseki. Okpebholo’s commitment to improving infrastructure, transportation, and education positions him as the candidate who can truly bring about the positive change Edo State desperately needs.
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