President Bola Tinubu has praised Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for his performance in office, declaring that the governor has made the All Progressives Congress (APC) proud.
Tinubu, who spoke through Vice-President Kashim Shettima, said he held Okpebholo in high regard and remained committed to supporting his administration to deliver on its promises to the people of Edo State.
Shettima delivered the President’s message on Thursday at the APC presidential rally held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, which also marked the second anniversary of the Okpebholo administration.
The Vice-President assured Edo residents that the Federal Government would sustain its investments in the state, particularly in road infrastructure, healthcare, energy, agriculture, entrepreneurship and security.
He said the Tinubu administration remained committed to an earlier agreement with Edo people, stressing that Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit could not be effectively addressed without the state playing a strategic role.
“We have come to assure you that you can count on us too. When we came to you four years ago, we said we could not address our nation’s infrastructure deficit without carrying Edo State along. We have not abandoned that agreement,” Shettima said.
Highlighting ongoing federal projects, he disclosed that work had commenced on the dualisation of roads leading to Ekpoma, Auchi and Okpella, as well as the Benin-Agbor-Sapele road.
He assured the people that more federal infrastructure projects would be delivered in the state, adding that the government was equally committed to strengthening other critical sectors.
Shettima also spoke about federal interventions in healthcare, energy, agriculture, entrepreneurship and security. He further reaffirmed efforts towards securing the return of Benin artefacts and transferring ownership of the Benin treasures to Nigeria.
Turning to the governor’s performance, the Vice-President said Okpebholo had justified the confidence reposed in him by the APC leadership and earned President Tinubu’s admiration through his commitment to Edo’s development.
Responding, Governor Okpebholo declared that Edo State was ready to deliver massive votes for President Tinubu in the January 2027 presidential election.
He said the President deserved the support of Edo people because of his administration’s contributions to the state.
“In Edo State, we are ready to deliver come January 2027. The President has done so much for Edo people. Today, we don’t owe salaries. We don’t owe pensioners. Construction work is going on everywhere,” Okpebholo declared.
The governor pointed to ongoing construction projects across the state as evidence of his administration’s commitment to development, while also highlighting its efforts to meet workers’ salary and pension obligations.
Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, congratulated Okpebholo on completing two years in office and commended his administration’s development efforts.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, also addressed the rally.
The event attracted senior government officials, APC national and state leaders, political stakeholders and party supporters, with speakers rallying support for Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Party leaders also renewed their commitment to the proposed target of securing 2.5 million votes for the President from Edo State.
