The inauguration ceremony for Edo State’s new governor which held yesterday at the Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City was meant to set the tone for a fresh chapter of leadership. Instead, the event highlighted troubling organizational issues, from poor traffic management to an ad hoc and jumbled program of events, raising questions about whether this administration can competently deliver on its promises for the state, Chief Magnus Oziegbe, a public affairs analyst stated.
If the challenges of organizing an inaugural event are any indication, the road ahead may be fraught with obstacles that demand far more than political vision; it will require adept administration, project management, and a capable team behind the scenes to carry plans through to execution.
VIPS and other attendees struggled from the start, as chaotic traffic management left roads choked with vehicles, making it nearly impossible to reach the venue. Some guests spent hours navigating gridlock, while others abandoned their cars altogether. Those who eventually arrived found an event beset by problems: pickpockets roamed freely, the parades and guards of honour looked disheveled and uncoordinated, the microphones repeatedly malfunctioned, creating interruptions during key speeches and marring the solemnity of the occasion. The program itself, meanwhile, was disjointed, with no clear flow or organization, leaving attendees uncertain about what to expect next.
Perhaps most striking was the platforming of figures like Tony Kabaka, a controversial political figure whose presence dominated parts of the day and clashed with the atmosphere expected at a state event. This public celebration brawn and muscle inevitably spilled into the streets of Benin City – where pro-government louts and thugs, commonly referred to as Lions and Tigers, emerged from the shadows to extort buses and taxis in broad daylight. By nightfall, the challenges continued with an inaugural dinner that unfolded in near-chaotic scenes. The atmosphere shifted from one of dignified celebration to something resembling a crowded market, as a boisterous crowd of revelers took over the space, some appearing visibly intoxicated. Many guests left early, some citing discomfort, while others reported concerns for their safety amidst the escalating commotion.
This haphazard rollout of the governor’s inaugural events is not merely an isolated embarrassment but potentially indicative of larger governance issues. Effective leadership demands not just a compelling vision but the structural capacity to plan, organize, and execute. An inability to successfully manage even symbolic moments such as this inauguration hints at deeper challenges ahead. Successful governance requires that plans be laid out with precision and carried through with foresight. This goes beyond political know-how; it calls for administrative skills, project management, and technocratic expertise.
Too often, however, political figures are elevated to leadership roles while experienced civil servants and administrators are sidelined, resulting in a lack of competence in essential areas of government administration. Policy successes hinge on well-executed strategies, where plans are not only envisioned but executed effectively by teams skilled in logistics and management. Without these skills, even the best-intentioned policies can falter.
As the new administration embarks on its term, the chaotic scenes at yesterday’s inauguration should serve as a stark reminder: competent governance will require more than ambition and political clout. The success of this administration—and by extension, Edo State—will depend on the ability to mobilize the right people for the right roles, prioritizing administrators, project managers, and technocrats over political figures unprepared for the demands of governance.
