By Simeon OSAJIE
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has attributed the gains recorded by his administration in the fight against insecurity to the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The governor spoke during a tour of Edo North Senatorial District by leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to sensitise party members ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The governor and his entourage visited Olegauma Primary School, Uzebba Illeha; Obe Primary School, Sabongidda-Ora; Afuze Mini Stadium; and Abadakhigua Primary School, Otuo, in Owan West and Owan East Local Government Areas of Edo State.
Okpebholo said the political will and strength to tackle kidnapping, cultism, banditry, and other forms of criminality in the state came from the support of the Tinubu administration.
“The political will and strength I have to fight insecurity in the state is because of the support from President Tinubu. The strength to fight kidnapping, cultism, banditry, and other criminality in the state is as a result of the support from Mr. President,” he said.
He also said the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government had increased the resources available to state governments for development.
“We pay salaries as at when due. We have successfully changed the narrative, and our people are enjoying practical governance,” Okpebholo said.
The governor said the improved security situation had allowed residents to return to their farms without fear of kidnapping.
“Today our people are no longer afraid of kidnappers as we have put them under check and our people can now go to the farm. We have also ensured no cult killings again in Edo State. We have achieved this because of the political will and support of President Tinubu,” he said.
Okpebholo said the tour was also aimed at enabling him to see firsthand the challenges confronting residents across the communities.
He said he 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.
“This is the reason why I embarked on this tour to see for myself the challenges facing the people in various communities across the state. Now I have come and seen, and it will be followed with solutions,” he said.
On the 2027 presidential election, Okpebholo urged APC members to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, declaring that there would be no vacancy in Aso Rock.
“I am here to identify with you and also let you know we have our candidates. The President is still contesting for the presidency, and there is no vacancy in Aso Rock in 2027 as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will retain his office,” he said.
The governor 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.
Former Edo governor and senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, also urged Nigerians to support the APC, saying the party had the experience and candidates required to continue the country’s development.
Oshiomhole 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.”
The Edo APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, who received defectors into the party, urged members to focus on issue-based campaigns and grassroots mobilisation.
“We don’t need to fight to achieve the 2.5 million votes for President Tinubu. Let us embark on the campaign of ideas, not to fight. Our party leaders have done so much for Nigerians, and all we need to do is to support President Tinubu to complete his good works of development,” Tenebe said.
The party leader in Owan West Local Government Area, Lucky Ohimai, commended Okpebholo for his developmental efforts across the state.
Ohimai assured the governor that residents of Owan would continue to support his administration and work towards delivering the 2.5 million votes promised to Tinubu in the 2027 election.
Okpebholo was accompanied by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa; Oshiomhole; Tenebe; his deputy, Sylvester Aigboboh; APC Secretary Lawrence Okah; Chief of Staff Yakubu Musa; former Edo Deputy Governor Peter Obadan; Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Yekini Idiaye, and other party leaders.