Edo security: Between Obaseki’s Sienna and Okpebholo’s Hilux
By John Mayaki
In Edo state, there’s a tale of two governors, two eras, and two types of vehicles — each representing their distinct philosophy of governance. This story is about a crawling video on social media that has refused to trend and possibly break the internet — the story of Edo’s security evolution.
On one hand, we had ex-Governor Godwin Obaseki and his peculiar penchant for second-hand Siennas. On the other, we now have Senator Monday Okpebholo, rolling into action with a convoy of brand-new Hilux vans.
During the Obaseki era, I did raised an eyebrow about his scrappy Siennas and frankly, when the vehicles broke down, there was a full-blown laugh across the state. I mean the Obaseki’s hand-me-down Siennas and Senator Okpebholo’s no-nonsense Hilux fleets.
There’s no doubt, Obaseki had a knack for creativity. Some argue though that, it’s not the good kind of creativity. They say his idea of tackling insecurity involved deploying refurbished Siennas that might as well have been sourced from a scrap yard in Lagos. It was simply a gamble, and predictably, they failed to deliver. Some reportedly didn’t even make it to their destinations before breaking down. I mean Obaseki’s crime-fighting car that needed rescuing itself.
For some, it was a comedy, but somehow, Obaseki’s fans applauded his efforts. Maybe they were simply impressed that the cars started at all, who knows?
Fast forward to 2025, the era of Senator Monday Okpebholo, a man who understands that protecting lives requires more than whitewashing, was reported to have unveiled a fleet of brand-new Hilux vans for security agencies. I need you to understand that these are not second-hand handouts; they are top-tier, ready-to-roll vehicles that actually work. The amateur video still crawling online and which detractors have refused to share, shows the vehicles, complete with crests for police, army, and civil defence, parked in their pristine glory. You can almost hear the vehicles revving with purpose, like a war cry against crime. These machines are not for play but here to protect.
Of course, cynics will grumble. And trust, the video is still struggling to trend, ostensibly because detractors seem allergic to good news. If it were a video of political misstep, the internet would be on fire with reposts and commentary. But for something positive, like prioritizing security, some unpatriotic fellows are pretending they haven’t seen it.
Word on the street; and it’s still unofficial, is that Okpebholo hasn’t pocketed his security vote since taking office. The news around town says the Governor is investing his security vote into tangible solutions like these Hilux vans, while also carrying out quiet reforms — intangibles and those we cannot see but feel the result. It’s such a rare thing in politics and governance to see a leader using security funds for security. It feels revolutionary.
I really don’t also think it about vehicles; I think it’s about philosophy. Obaseki’s Siennas is symbolic of a lack of vision, a patchwork approach to governance that left citizens vulnerable. On the other hand, Okpebholo’s Hilux vans, represent preparedness, seriousness, and a commitment to putting Edo’s safety first.
The contrast couldn’t be starker: one governor scouted car auctions; the other invested in brand-new mobility that can actually chase down criminals without a pit stop.
So, while the amateur video is yet to break the internet, the message is clear and unambiguous — the security of our people is finally on the right track, courtesy of the man who understands that to make progress, you must invest, and not improvise.
Governor Okpebholo, your efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. Keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel of progress. Keep steering the state towards safety and prosperity — one Hilux at a time.
And as for the Siennas, let them serve as a reminder of what happens when leaders prefer shortcuts over solutions. Rest in peace, refurbished relics. The Hilux era has arrived, and it’s here to stay.
