The Edo State Government has challenged the interpretation of the 2026 Phillips Consulting States Performance Index after the state was placed at the bottom of the momentum and growth ranking.
The report assessed 33 states using indicators covering security, education, health, infrastructure, governance, economic development and fiscal performance.
Enugu was ranked as the most improved state relative to the national average, while Edo placed thirty third.
Edo Commissioner for Information and Strategy Kazeem Afegbua said most of the data used in the assessment related to conditions that existed before Governor Monday Okpebholo assumed office.
Okpebholo took office on November 12, 2024.
The state government argued that fiscal, administrative and governance indicators used in the report had largely been shaped by policies and decisions made before the current administration.
Afegbua said independent performance assessments could help governments identify weaknesses and improve service delivery but should be interpreted within the correct timeframe.
He maintained that the ranking should not be presented as a direct verdict on the current administration.
According to the government, a fair assessment should separate inherited conditions from reforms introduced after Okpebholo took office.
The administration said it remained open to independent evaluation but wanted public commentary to reflect the methodology and assessment period of the report.
