Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has come under severe criticism from members of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for renaming Edo State University without adhering to the laws establishing the institution.
Okpebholo had on December 30, 2024, announced his administration’s intention to rechristen the state’s top learning institution, saying it was important to actualise his focus on improving education in the state.
However, members of the main opposition PDP, while reacting to the development, said the move was illegal and reckless. They said the governor arrogated undue powers by promulgating the new name in a manner akin to military fiat.
Criticising the move by Okpebholo to rename the state’s institution from Edo State University, Uzairue to Edo University, Iyamho, constitutional lawyer, Anthony Ehilebo, said it is the highest misuse of executive power.
Ehilebo attributed Okpebholo’s action to ‘lawlessness’ while noting that the governor has no legal authority to rename the university without seeking legislative approval.
“This is executive overreach at its worst,” Ehilebo said in his argument against the decision. “The governor has no legal authority to rename a university without legislative approval. This is not governance — it’s lawlessness,” he added.
In his own reaction, Goodluck Osaretin, spokesman for opposition PDP in the state, criticised Okpebholo for brazen disregard for the separation of power between the different arms of government.
Citing the illegal suspension of local government chairmen in the state and the latest decision to rename the varsity, Osaretin said Mr Okpebholo had shown a “pattern of disregard for democratic norms”.
Osaretin further pointed out that when former governor Adams Oshiomole, who played significant roles in Okpebholo’s emergence as governor, wanted to change the name of the institution during his tenure, it had to pass through the State Assembly.
“The governor must realise he is not Oshiomole’s puppet,” Osaretin said, noting that “When Oshiomole wanted to change the university’s name to his village, he used the state assembly.”
The institution was initially christened the University of Science and Technology in the bill passed by lawmakers in the state for its establishment in 2014. However, by the time it opened in 2016 under Mr Oshiomole, its name had changed to Edo University, Iyamho.
Following a legislative amendment in 2020, the institution underwent another rechristening, this time changing its name to Edo State University, Uzairue. This marked the total dissociation of the university from Mr Oshiomole, who was born in Iyamho.
