Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has assured residents that his administration will reclaim every part of the State from criminal elements, declaring that farmers will soon return to their farms without fear as insecurity is brought under control.
The governor gave the assurance on Friday while flagging off the All Progressives Congress (APC) local government election campaign for Edo Central Senatorial District at the Uromi Town Hall in Esan North-East Local Government Area.
Okpebholo said security remains a top priority of his administration, noting that his government is working closely with security agencies and other critical stakeholders to safeguard lives and property and restore peace across the state.
He vowed that criminals terrorising communities would face the full weight of the law, insisting that Edo would no longer serve as a safe haven for kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements.
> “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 declared.
The governor maintained that his administration would continue taking decisive measures to flush out criminal gangs, saying such actions would discourage others from engaging in crime.
> “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.
Okpebholo also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting his administration, describing the partnership between the Federal Government and Edo State as instrumental to the state’s ongoing development.
According to him, President Tinubu encouraged transparency in the management of local government funds, adding that the implementation of local government autonomy has enabled councils to receive their allocations directly for grassroots development.
> “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 massively for the forthcoming local government elections, describing the exercise as a crucial step towards the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Also speaking, former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, charged APC candidates to prepare for governance beyond winning elections.
He thanked President Tinubu for granting financial autonomy to local governments and urged elected council officials to work closely with the state government to drive grassroots development and transform Edo’s economy.
Earlier, the Edo State APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, welcomed defectors into the party and called on members to unite behind Governor Okpebholo and the party’s candidates.
He expressed confidence that a resounding victory in the council polls would strengthen the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Deputy State Chairman of the party, Sylvester Aigboboh, while presenting the chairmanship and councillorship candidates, said the governor’s achievements had made the campaign easier for the party.
He listed some of the administration’s accomplishments to include the completion of 300 kilometres of roads, construction of 68 healthcare centres, procurement of 50 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses for distribution across the state’s 18 local government areas, and increased funding support for tertiary institutions, including Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo University, Iyamho, Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, and the College of Education, Igueben.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial chairman, Bishop Anthony Okosun, praised Governor Okpebholo’s developmental strides and pledged the support of the new APC members towards building what he described as a “new Edo State.”
