ANEEJ Calls for Strengthened Accountability as Okpebholometer Report Reveals Mixed Progress in Edo State’s Governance Performance
BENIN CITY, Nigeria. November 15, 2025 — The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has called for stronger accountability, improved governance systems, and accelerated delivery of campaign promises following the public presentation of the Okpebholometer First-Year Assessment Report, conducted by the AdvoKC Foundation under the Promise Tracker NG Framework.
Delivering the keynote address as Special Guest of Honour, ANEEJ Executive Director, Rev. David Ugolor, commended the initiative as a powerful citizen-led accountability tool but raised concern over gaps revealed in the performance of the Edo State Government during its first year in office.
The Okpebholometer independently tracked 27 campaign promises made by Governor Monday Okpebholo across six priority sectors—Economy & Jobs, Healthcare, Justice & Security, Infrastructure, Education, and Governance & Political Reform—using government records, budget documents, media monitoring, and field verification across the state.
Mixed Results: 14.8% Promises Kept, 40.7% Not Yet Started
According to the assessment:
• 4 promises (14.8%) have been fully kept
• 10 promises (37%) are in progress
• 11 promises (40.7%) have not been started
• 2 promises (7.4%) were classified as broken
While acknowledging positive steps such as the recruitment of 5,000 teachers, the revitalisation of Edo Line, the ₦1 billion women’s soft loan scheme, and ongoing infrastructure works like the Ramat Park Flyover, ANEEJ raised concern over stalled projects, unfulfilled industrial revival commitments, and low female representation (19%) against a 35% target.
Nigeria’s Poverty and Governance Context Deepens the Urgency, Says ANEEJ
Rev. Ugolor noted that the findings must be viewed against the backdrop of Nigeria’s worsening poverty and governance indicators.
According to World Bank data, over 30% of Nigerians live in extreme poverty, with rural poverty rates rising to 75%, while Edo State records 35.4% multidimensional poverty—representing 1.4 million people deprived across health, education, and living standards.
“These are not just statistics; they represent families and communities who depend on government to deliver essential services and public goods,” Ugolor said.
He further highlighted Nigeria’s low scores on the World Bank Governance Indicators (WGI) —
• Control of Corruption: –1.04 (2023)
• Government Effectiveness: –0.85
• Rule of Law: around –0.89
—warning that persistent governance weaknesses threaten progress at both state and national levels.
ANEEJ Calls for Urgent Reforms and Citizen Engagement
Speaking at the event, the ANEEJ Executive Director stressed the need for the Edo State Government to accelerate project completion, strengthen transparency and gender inclusion, and prioritize citizen-centred budgeting.
“Accountability is not an attack on government; it is a service to the people,” Ugolor said.
“Governance works best when citizens are informed, engaged, and respected as partners in development. The Okpebholometer provides a roadmap—now it is time for the state to translate commitments into real results for the people of Edo.”
He also reaffirmed ANEEJ’s commitment to promoting transparency, anti-corruption reform, equitable development, and citizen empowerment at both state and national levels.
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