Revenue row: Edo governor’s suspension order sparks violent clashes

Barely a day into his term, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo is already grappling with a street-level crisis, as two groups clashed in Benin City over suspended revenue collection activities. In his first major directive, Governor Okpebholo ordered an immediate halt to all state revenue collections, warning that anyone found enforcing such collections would face arrest.

This decision was intended to restore order, particularly for bus and taxi drivers who had reportedly faced harassment from local enforcers, colloquially known as the “Lions and Tigers.”

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Yet, the governor’s move led to violent clashes at Benin’s bustling Ramat Park, as two rival groups took to the streets, resulting in pandemonium as people scrambled to safety. Video footage from the scene shows a chaotic melee, with shopkeepers rushing to close their stalls and armed men turning the once-busy hub into a conflict zone.

Commenting on the violence, Goodluck Osaretin, a prominent PDP member, asserted that the clash was a direct result of political tensions surrounding promises made during the campaign. “This conflict reflects the pressure of political expectations and promises tied to revenue control,” he said, further noting that these promises appear to have empowered certain factions as “power brokers,” leaving ordinary citizens caught in the fallout.

According to Osaretin, the groups involved were reportedly promised lucrative revenue collection contracts as part of campaign deals, possibly in exchange for their support. With Governor Okpebholo’s unexpected suspension of revenue activities, these factions now view the move as a betrayal. “There were most likely promises made,” he stated, “and those groups, feeling betrayed, are now asserting their claims by force.”

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The crisis has intensified concerns about the governor’s ability to maintain order. Osaretin further suggested that the decision to halt revenue collection has left factional groups feeling aggrieved and abandoned. “This clash speaks to a need for clear boundaries between governance and the political allegiances of the campaign era,” he said, adding that in his view, the new administration should have first focused on re-establishing the rule of law and distancing itself from these alliances.

The tense atmosphere has been exacerbated by a recent call from Barrister Enwanta, a close associate of Governor Okpebholo, who suggested implementing the death penalty for cult-related offences. While this stance has appealed to the public’s demand for stability, critics like Osaretin question its efficacy in the absence of a coordinated response to the unrest.

As Edo State navigates this turbulent start, many observers say the governor must act decisively to address the challenges posed by campaign-related promises. According to Osaretin, “Governor Okpebholo’s leadership faces an immediate test: he must swiftly regain control and take steps to protect Edo citizens. Until the administration takes clear action to resolve these issues, the streets of Benin will remain troubled.”