Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has assured residents that his administration is taking decisive steps to tackle insecurity and create a safe environment for farmers to return to their farms without fear.
The governor gave the assurance on Friday while flagging off the All Progressives Congress (APC) local government election campaign for the Edo Central Senatorial District at the Uromi Town Hall in Esan North-East Local Government Area.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele, Okpebholo said security remains a top priority of his administration and pledged continued collaboration with security agencies and other stakeholders to protect lives and property across the state.
He stressed that criminal elements terrorising communities would be dealt with decisively.
“Governors are ready to fight insecurity across the nation. The perpetrators will be exposed and they will run away from the country. In Edo State, there will be security and our farmers will be able to return to their farms,” the governor said.
He also vowed to ensure that kidnappers and bandits no longer find Edo State conducive for their activities, warning that criminals would face the full weight of the law.
“I am serious with the fight against insecurity. By the time we execute one, two, three and more of these criminals, others will run away from Edo State,” he stated.
Governor Okpebholo commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the Edo State Government, describing the partnership as instrumental to the development currently taking place across the state.
He said the President had encouraged transparency in the management of local government resources, noting that local government autonomy has enabled councils to receive their allocations directly and execute development projects at the grassroots.
“The President loves Edo State. When I met him, he told me not to touch local government funds, and I obeyed. The funds go directly to the local governments, and the chairmen are using them to bring development and growth across the 18 local government areas,” he said.
The governor urged APC members and supporters to mobilise for the party’s candidates in the forthcoming local government elections, describing the polls as a critical step toward preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, charged the party’s candidates to prepare for the responsibilities of governance, stressing that electoral victory must translate into meaningful development at the grassroots.
Oshiomhole also commended President Tinubu for granting financial autonomy to local governments and urged elected council officials to work closely with the state government to drive economic growth in Edo.
The Edo State APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, welcomed defectors into the party and called on members to unite behind Governor Okpebholo and the APC candidates.
“I call on you all to support our governor to ensure our candidates win the local government election. It will show that we are ready for the general election, where we have promised the President 2.5 million votes, which is achievable,” Tenebe said.
The party’s Deputy State Chairman, Sylvester Aigboboh, while presenting the APC chairmanship and councillorship candidates, said the governor’s achievements had strengthened the party’s campaign.
He highlighted key projects of the administration, including the completion of 300 kilometres of roads, construction of 68 healthcare centres, acquisition of 50 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses for distribution across the state’s 18 local government areas, and increased funding support for tertiary institutions such as Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma; Edo University, Iyamho; Edo State Polytechnic, Usen; and the College of Education, Igueben.
Speaking on behalf of defectors to the APC, former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial chairman, Bishop Anthony Okosun, praised the governor’s development efforts and pledged the group’s support for the administration’s vision of building a new Edo State.
