Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has attributed the successes his administration has achieved in combating insecurity in the state to the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Speaking during a tour of Edo North Senatorial District, Okpebholo highlighted the significant progress made in tackling various forms of criminality. The governor and his entourage visited several locations, including Olegauma Primary School, Uzebba Illeha, and Abadakhigua Primary School, Otuo, in Owan West and Owan East Local Government Areas.
The tour was part of efforts by leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to sensitise party members ahead of the 2027 general elections. Okpebholo emphasized that the political will and strength to address kidnapping, cultism, banditry, and other forms of criminality in the state came from the support of the Tinubu administration. He expressed gratitude for the president's backing, which he said had enabled his administration to change the narrative and provide practical governance to the people.
Okpebholo also highlighted the positive impact of the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government, which he said had increased the resources available to state governments for development. He noted that his administration had successfully paid salaries as at when due and restored a sense of security, allowing residents to return to their farms without fear of kidnapping. The governor's efforts have led to a reduction in cult killings and an overall improvement in the security situation in Edo State.
The governor's tour also aimed to identify the challenges confronting residents across the communities. During the tour, Okpebholo noticed two bad portions of the road while traveling from Owan West to Owan East and directed the Commissioner for Works to mobilise and fix them. He emphasized the importance of engaging with the people and understanding their needs firsthand, assuring that solutions would be provided to address the identified challenges.
Okpebholo urged APC members to support Tinubu's re-election bid, declaring that there would be no vacancy in Aso Rock in 2027. He commended APC members in Edo North for their support during his governorship election and the local government elections, urging them to increase their efforts ahead of the 2027 elections. The governor was accompanied by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, and other party leaders, including former Edo governor and senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole.
Oshiomhole, who also spoke during the event, urged Nigerians to support the APC, citing the party's experience and qualified candidates to continue the country's development. He dismissed the political ambitions of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, describing their proposed political combination as "a formula that will not work for Nigeria." Oshiomhole's endorsement of Tinubu's re-election bid is seen as a significant boost to the president's campaign.
The Edo APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, welcomed defectors into the party and urged members to focus on issue-based campaigns and grassroots mobilisation. He assured that with a focus on ideas rather than conflict, the party could easily achieve the 2.5 million votes target for President Tinubu in the 2027 election. The party leader in Owan West Local Government Area, Lucky Ohimai, commended Okpebholo for his developmental efforts across the state and assured the governor of continued support from residents of Owan.
Key points
- Edo State Governor credits President Tinubu's support for successes in combating insecurity.
- The governor's administration has achieved significant progress in tackling kidnapping, cultism, and banditry.
- Okpebholo urges APC members to support Tinubu's re-election bid, predicting no vacancy in Aso Rock in 2027.
