Violence erupted in Benin City, Edo State, just a day after Governor Monday Okpebholo assumed office, as two armed groups clashed over control of revenue collection.
The chaos unfolded at Ramat Park, a central transport hub, where gunshots rang out in broad daylight, sending people fleeing for their lives.
This violent confrontation between the groups is the first major test of Okpebholo’s authority as governor, and it quickly escalated into a crisis that has left many citizens fearful and confused.
Governor Okpebholo had only issued a suspension on all revenue collection activities hours before the incident.
He had hoped the suspension would bring an end to the harassment of bus and taxi drivers by local enforcers known as “Lions and Tigers.”
However, the governor’s directive was met with resistance as armed factions clashed over what they saw as their right to control the revenue collection process.
The violence has raised serious concerns about the strength of Okpebholo’s leadership and his ability to navigate the complex web of political alliances that have shaped the state.
Goodluck Osaretin, a member of the opposition PDP, suggested that the violence was likely a consequence of political promises made during the campaign.
Osaretin explained, “There were most likely promises made, and now those same groups feel betrayed and threatened.”
He added that certain youth factions within the ruling APC, such as Kabaka, Ebo Stone, No More Loss, and Osarobo, had been promised revenue collection contracts in exchange for their support.
With Okpebholo’s decision to suspend revenue collection, these groups may now feel that their political support has been disregarded.
Their violent response may be an attempt to reclaim what they feel is rightfully theirs.
The chaos at Ramat Park, a bustling area known for its vibrant markets and transportation services, left shopkeepers and passersby terrified.
Street vendors who were working at the time quickly closed their stalls, fearing further violence.
One vendor, who witnessed the shootout, said, “We had hoped for better,” voicing his concerns about the future of the state under Okpebholo’s leadership.
This incident has raised serious questions about the state’s security apparatus, as the violence occurred despite a visible police presence around key government and economic sites.
The police, stationed close to sensitive locations like banks and the INEC State office, failed to intervene in the unfolding violence.
This has led many to question how armed groups could operate with such impunity in a state that prides itself on its security infrastructure.
Osaretin believes the groups involved in the violence interpret Okpebholo’s suspension of revenue collection as a betrayal.
For them, it signals that the political promises made during the campaign are no longer being honored, and they are willing to use force to reassert their control over revenue activities.
“There is a need for clearer boundaries between governance and campaign-driven political patronage,” Osaretin remarked, suggesting that the governor must act swiftly to address these issues before they spiral out of control.
The violence also highlights unresolved issues within the new administration, as factions that were once courted for political support now seem to hold the state at ransom.
Governor Okpebholo’s handling of this situation will determine whether his leadership can gain the trust of the people.
