“Is He Reading or Just Holding It?” Okpebholo Sparks Social Media Storm After Appearing to Hold Book Upside Down at Public Event

A viral video showing Edo state governor holding what appears to be a book upside down while addressing a gathering has sent social media into a frenzy, with many Nigerians questioning the literacy and competence of the country’s political class.

A Moment That Went Viral

A video circulating widely on social media has captured the moment a Nigerian state governor appeared to hold a book upside down while addressing a gathering.

The footage, which surfaced on September 5, 2026, has quickly gone viral, generating thousands of reactions across platforms.

The clip shows the governor holding what appears to be a document or book, with observers noting that the text on the cover seems to be inverted, suggesting the book is being held upside down.

As the governor speaks, the camera captures the book in a way that has left many viewers stunned.

Social Media Erupts

The video has triggered a wave of reactions, with many Nigerians expressing disbelief, mockery and frustration. Some have questioned how someone who appears unable to hold a book correctly can be entrusted with the governance of a state.

One user commented: “How do you hold a book upside down and not realize it? This is the person making decisions for millions of people.”

Another wrote: “The standard of leadership in this country is a joke. If you can’t read, at least learn how to hold a book properly.”

Others, however, have offered more measured responses, suggesting that the video may have been taken out of context or that the governor might have been holding a document that looked upside down due to camera angle.

Not the First Time

This is not the first time Governor Okpebholo has been caught in an embarrassing moment involving reading or literacy.

In 2024, Governor Okpebholo sparked controversy after appearing to struggle with reading budget figures during a presentation to the State House of Assembly.

Similarly, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma faced social media backlash in June 2026 after a video showed him struggling to pronounce a word during a keynote address at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.

The footage of Uzodimma faltering repeatedly on a word in his prepared manuscript sparked widespread engagement and memes.

These incidents have contributed to a growing perception among Nigerians that the country’s political class is often more concerned with appearances than with substance.

A Symptom of a Larger Problem

Critics argue that the video is emblematic of a larger crisis, a political class that is often unprepared, underqualified and more focused on theatrics than on governance.

They point to a long history of similar incidents that have eroded public confidence in the country’s leadership.

Supporters of the governor, however, have dismissed the criticism as political mischief, arguing that the video has been taken out of context and that the governor’s record of service should speak for itself.

ADVERTISEMENT

A Lesson for Nigerian Youths

This viral moment is a reminder that leadership requires more than just holding a title.

When those in power cannot perform basic tasks like holding a book correctly, it raises serious questions about their competence and attention to detail.

For young Nigerians, the lesson is clear: education matters. The same leaders who embarrass themselves in public will never allow their own children to be uneducated.

But they will happily preside over a system that fails millions of Nigerian children.Take your education seriously. Demand better from your leaders. And never forget that the future of Nigeria depends on the quality of its leaders.