APC Chieftain Udebhulu: Okpebholo Must Sustain Delivery, Accountability, Grassroots Engagement In Edo

An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and political strategist, Prince Kelly Udebhulu, has called for sustained delivery, accountability and effective communication by the Edo State Government, saying these remain critical to maintaining public confidence and strengthening the relationship between the administration and the people.

Udebhulu, who served as Director of Communication and National Orientation of the APC Governorship Campaign Council during the 2024 Edo State governorship election, made the remarks while reflecting on his political journey, his experience in political communication and his assessment of the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo.

Speaking on what inspired his continued commitment to the APC, Udebhulu said his political involvement was rooted in conviction, service and a belief that politics should ultimately improve the lives of the people.

He explained that his involvement at the grassroots had given him the opportunity to interact directly with ordinary citizens, listen to their concerns and understand their expectations of government and political leadership.

According to him, his role during the 2024 governorship campaign involved helping to articulate the party's message, coordinate communication and ensure that the campaign effectively reached voters across Edo State's 18 local government areas and 192 wards.

“For me, one of the most significant contributions was helping to build a communication structure that connected the campaign with the electorate,” he said, stressing that effective political communication goes beyond publicity to include listening, presenting ideas and building confidence in the political process.

Okpebholo Administration Must Deliver on Expectations

Assessing Governor Okpebholo's administration, Udebhulu said the government had demonstrated a determination to establish its own direction and translate its campaign message into governance.

He, however, stressed that the administration must continue to be assessed by its ability to meet the expectations of Edo people, particularly in areas such as infrastructure, security, healthcare, education, employment, economic development and grassroots inclusion.

Udebhulu particularly highlighted the reported approval of 4,800 Special Assistant positions across the state's 192 wards as an important development from the standpoint of grassroots participation.

He said the initiative, as presented by the government, could help take governance closer to the people, while cautioning that political appointments should ultimately be measured by their impact.

“Appointments alone cannot be the final measure of success. The real test is whether governance produces visible improvements in people's daily lives,” he said.

4,800 Aides Should Become Links Between Government and People

On the reported appointment of 4,800 SSAs and SAs, Udebhulu said the appointees should see their positions primarily as opportunities to serve their communities.

He explained that the reported structure, involving 25 Special Assistants in each of the state's 192 wards, could provide government with a broad grassroots network if properly managed.

According to him, the appointees should understand the challenges confronting their communities, communicate government programmes, identify areas of need and provide accurate feedback to the administration.

He cited issues ranging from roads and healthcare to education, youth unemployment and community security as examples of concerns that grassroots representatives could help communicate to government.

“That is what I mean by grassroots inclusion: government must not only reach the people; government must listen to the people,” he said.

Prioritise Delivery, Communication and Accountability

The APC chieftain urged the Okpebholo administration to prioritise three key areas — delivery, communication and accountability — if it is to sustain public confidence.

He said citizens must continue to see tangible results in areas that directly affect their lives, while government policies and programmes must be clearly communicated to the people.

Udebhulu also called for continuous engagement with traditional rulers, religious leaders, youths, women, professionals, civil society organisations, the business community and Edo indigenes in the diaspora.

As a communication professional, he argued that government communication should not be one-way, noting that authorities must listen to citizens as much as they communicate government achievements.

“The strongest political communication is ultimately performance communication. When citizens can see the difference in their communities, they become the best communicators for government,” he said.

No Political Party Should Take Edo People for Granted

Reflecting on Edo's political history and recent realignments, Udebhulu said one major lesson for the APC was that no political party should take the electorate for granted.

He described Edo voters as politically sophisticated, saying they observe political developments and ultimately make decisions based on what they believe serves their interests.

He urged the APC to maintain a strong grassroots structure, respect internal democracy, reward commitment appropriately and sustain engagement with the people even outside election periods.

He also identified unity as a critical factor in the party's future success, noting that while political differences were inevitable, personal interests should not be allowed to override the collective interests of the party.

Udebhulu said the 2024 election further demonstrated the importance of disciplined communication, organisation, unity and grassroots mobilisation.

Edo Diaspora an Asset to State Development

Speaking on his experience within the APC diaspora structure, including his former role with the APC Spain Chapter and his present position as Coordinator (Volunteer), Edo Central, Edo State Diaspora Agency, Udebhulu described the Edo diaspora as a major asset to the state's development.

He said Edo indigenes living abroad possess expertise, capital, international networks and professional experience that could contribute substantially to the state's economic development.

According to him, diaspora engagement should extend beyond politics to include investment, technology transfer, skills development, tourism, education partnerships and international business relationships.

“The diaspora should not be seen simply as people who send money home. They are also potential investors, employers, professionals, innovators and ambassadors for Edo State,” he said.

He called for a structured relationship between government and the diaspora that would create confidence and encourage more Edo indigenes abroad to invest and contribute to the development of their homeland.

Journalism Shaped His Political Communication

Udebhulu also spoke about the influence of his professional background in journalism, strategic communication and international trade relations on his political activities.

He said journalism taught him to listen, investigate and understand different perspectives, while strategic communication equipped him with the ability to package information responsibly and communicate effectively with different audiences.

His exposure to international business and trade relations, he added, had strengthened his understanding of networking, negotiation and relationship-building.

He maintained that political communication must be credible and should not be reduced to propaganda.

“You cannot build sustainable political support simply through propaganda. You must understand your audience, speak to their concerns and communicate in language they can relate to,” he said.

Edo Must Come First

Looking ahead, Udebhulu said his vision was for an Edo State where politics would serve as a vehicle for development rather than division.

He expressed the desire to see a state where young people have greater opportunities, businesses can thrive, communities enjoy quality infrastructure and government remains genuinely connected to the people.

He said his contribution would continue to centre on service, communication, mobilisation and advocacy.

“As a journalist and communication professional, I will continue to use my platforms to promote constructive dialogue and communicate issues that affect our people. As a politician, I will continue to contribute to the strengthening of democratic structures and grassroots participation. And as a community leader, I will continue to support initiatives that improve the welfare of our people,” he said.

Udebhulu emphasised that political positions are temporary, while service to humanity should remain a lasting responsibility.

He also appealed to Edo people to place the interests of the state above political differences, stressing that citizens can belong to different political tendencies without becoming enemies.

“My message to Edo people is simple: we must put Edo first. We can disagree politically without becoming enemies, and we can belong to different political tendencies while remaining united by our common interest in the development of our state,” he said.