Barely a day into his tenure, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, faces a crisis as two groups clashed in the streets of Benin City over revenue collection. This is coming on the heels of the suspension of the revenue collection by the governor.

Speaking on the clashes, a PDP member, Goodluck Osaretin, noted that the clash which erupted at Ramat Park, “was as a result of what he described as promised control over revenue collection. He said the crisis reflects a storm of political promises and expectations.”

According to him, the crisis “may be the consequence of campaign alliances that transformed local factions into power brokers, leaving citizens caught in the crossfire.”

Earlier today, Governor Okpebholo suspended all revenue collections in Edo, warning that defaulters would face arrest. His stated aim was to restore order and halt the harassment of bus and taxi drivers by enforcers known locally as “Lions and Tigers.”

However, within hours of this directive, the groups engaged in a violent showdown at Ramat Park, a central transport hub.

Video footage shows the groups clashing violently while people scampered for safety.

According to Osaretin, this violence was no coincidence. “There were most likely promises made,” he explained, “and now those same groups feel betrayed and threatened.”

He further claimed that certain youth factions within the APC “were reportedly assured revenue collection contracts in exchange for their support.”

“With the governor’s sudden suspension of these activities, and recent statements from friends of the new Governor calling for the death penalty for cultists, tensions have escalated, leaving many to question whether these groups are now asserting their claims by force.”

“For Edo citizens, this eruption of violence has been a harsh reminder of unresolved issues within the new administration. Shopkeepers around Ramat Park quickly closed their stalls, fearing further unrest, as shotgun-wielding men turned a once-bustling hub into a conflict zone.”

“We had hoped for better,” said one street vendor who witnessed the chaos, expressing concern about the future under the new givernment

According to the stalwart, “many residents are disturbed by the fact that, in a state with a visible police presence, especially around critical economic and governmental sites, armed factions can still roam freely.”

“Governor Okpebholo’s directive suspending revenue collection appears to have little impact on factions who may view the move as a betrayal.”

According to Osaretin, “these groups interpret the governor’s pivot as a broken promise, and their reaction speaks to a need for clearer boundaries between governance and campaign-driven political patronage.”

“In his first days, Okpebholo could have prioritized re-establishing the rule of law and a clear separation from campaign-era allegiances. Instead, the state now faces a test of control.”

“Barrister Enwanta’s recent call for the death penalty for cultists may appeal to a public eager for stability.”

Critics like Osaretin question the effectiveness of such measures in the absence of a coordinated response to the violence and unrest gripping the state.

According to him, “Governor Okpebholo’s leadership faces an immediate challenge: reining in forces empowered by political promises and taking decisive steps to protect Edo citizens. Until he addresses these alliances with clear action, the streets of Benin will remain troubled.”