Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has publicly backed Governor Monday Okpebholo’s proposed death penalty for kidnappers and bandits, declaring that criminals deserve the toughest punishment under the law.
Oshiomhole made the declaration on Saturday at the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) local government election campaign for Edo North Senatorial District held at the Public Field in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area.
The rally drew Governor Monday Okpebholo, Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, Edo APC Chairman Jarrett Tenebe, Deputy State Chairman Sylvester Aigboboh and other party leaders, who mobilised support for APC candidates ahead of next month’s council election.
Throwing his full weight behind the governor’s security policy, Oshiomhole said Edo State has the constitutional authority to enact laws prescribing punishments for state offences, insisting that kidnappers and bandits should face death by firing squad.
“I stand here to completely endorse the declaration by the governor of Edo State that we are in a federation where every state has the right to enact laws on punishment when it comes to state offences. So kidnappers and bandits will be punished by death through firing squad,” Oshiomhole declared.
The former governor also endorsed the establishment of state police, arguing that it would strengthen efforts to tackle insecurity and complement the operations of the Nigeria Police Force.
According to him, Governor Okpebholo’s administration has restored civil liberties in Edo State, stressing that only criminals should be worried by the government’s actions.
Addressing party faithful, Governor Okpebholo said his administration remains committed to improving the welfare of Edo people through aggressive infrastructure development.
He said his government had embarked on the construction and rehabilitation of roads, schools, markets and other critical projects designed to improve the quality of life of residents.
“We have embarked on massive infrastructural development in the state, including roads, schools, markets and others. These achievements were not there in the past, but this administration has made them possible,” the governor said.
Okpebholo also credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s removal of fuel subsidy for increasing the financial resources available to states for development.
“The removal of fuel subsidy has provided more funds for governors across the country to develop their states. This is the money we are using as a government to develop Edo State through massive road construction, schools and other infrastructure projects,” he added.
The governor urged party members to intensify mobilisation for the forthcoming local government election, describing the campaign as an opportunity to present APC candidates to voters.
He also reiterated his commitment to delivering 2.5 million votes for President Tinubu in the 2027 general election, expressing confidence that the administration’s performance would translate into overwhelming electoral support.
Okpebholo further hailed the completion of the rehabilitation of the Auchi-Ekpoma-Benin Road, describing it as one of the landmark achievements of the Tinubu administration.
Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, charged APC candidates to prioritise grassroots development and ensure that communities across Edo’s 18 local government areas enjoy the dividends of democracy.
He described the forthcoming council election as a crucial foundation for the APC’s preparations ahead of the 2027 general election.
The Edo APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, also urged the party’s candidates to emulate the state’s founding leaders by focusing on development and quality service delivery, noting that local government remains the closest tier of government to the people.
Further details obtained by this online newspaper indicate that the APC leadership used the rally to consolidate support across Edo North as campaigning gathers momentum ahead of the local government elections.
