Public anger over worsening insecurity in Edo State has intensified, with social media users, activists, and commentators openly criticising Governor Monday Okpebholo over the surge in kidnappings and violent crimes across the state.
Somto Okonkwo, @General_Somto, has shared a viral video of an Italian Nigerian calling out the Edo Governor Over The Ongoing Kidnappings In Edo State
The video has sparked fresh debate after describing the governor in strongly worded terms, accusing him of incompetence in tackling the security crisis. “The governor of Edo State, Okpebholo, is a very useless man and the worst governor ever,” Okonkwo wrote in a post that has since gained wide attention online.
Echoing similar sentiments, Ugo Ebe N’Aja alleged that insecurity has reached alarming levels under the current administration. “Okpebholo’s Edo is a security dumpster fire. Kidnappings are skyrocketing, and protesters are being shot. Did Ekpoma CCTV fail? Total incompetence,” he said. He further accused the governor of prioritising political loyalty over public safety, adding that Okpebholo was “a puppet failing his people hard.”
Another commentator, posting under the name “THE HOPE,” framed the public backlash as a broader indictment of governance failures. “Governance that fails to protect its citizens is not merely inconvenient; it is a betrayal of trust,” the post read. The writer argued that leadership without accountability turns suffering into spectacle, with citizens bearing the consequences of insecurity.
The commentator also referenced civic initiatives such as First October, suggesting that structured community support systems can help cushion the impact of government failures. According to the post, “Organised compassion, even in the shadow of failure, transforms despair into action, and helplessness into a movement capable of protecting and uplifting communities.”
Other residents expressed disbelief at the scale of insecurity in a state once considered relatively safe. “I don’t understand why such insecurity persists in Edo State. It used to be one of the safest states,” said Obiefule Ngozi Princess.
Nwaejike Victor questioned earlier warnings by the governor, stating, “Were they thinking he was joking when he said he would bring insecurity?”
However, not all reactions were critical. Lord Gendary defended the governor, urging critics to seek political office themselves if they believed solutions were easy. “All of them should leave the Edo State F9 governor alone. If it’s easy, they should all go and contest and win,” he wrote.
The Edo State Government has yet to formally respond to the latest wave of criticism. Meanwhile, calls continue to grow for decisive action to address kidnappings and restore public confidence in the state’s security architecture.
