Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has urged those behind recent abductions across the country to release their victims immediately and unconditionally.
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Patrick Ebojele, Okpebholo also declared that no political party can attain power through kidnapping, banditry or other forms of criminality.
Speaking at the flag-off of the APC campaign for the Edo South Senatorial District local government elections at Urhokpota Hall in Benin City on Tuesday, the governor condemned the growing wave of kidnappings and warned against using insecurity as a tool to undermine governance and national stability.
According to him, political ambition must never be pursued through violence, fear or criminal acts.
“Those seeking political power should not distract President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from delivering good governance to Nigerians. Kidnapping innocent citizens will not win elections. Political power cannot be secured through criminal activities,” Okpebholo said.
The governor expressed concern over the recent abduction of students, teachers and other citizens in different parts of the country, including Oyo State, and called for their immediate release. He maintained that insecurity should not be allowed to derail the administration’s development agenda.
READ ALSO: Oyo Assembly Seeks Increased Security Deployment To Schools
Governor Okpebholo praised President Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, saying the policy had increased resources available to states for critical infrastructure and development projects. He pledged the support of Edo State for the President ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“There is no vacancy in Aso Rock. Edo State will stand firmly behind President Tinubu and his Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.
The governor also unveiled what he described as a new political direction for Edo State, announcing that the APC had fielded a youthful and energetic crop of candidates for the forthcoming local government elections.
“We are changing the face of politics in Edo State by giving young and capable people the opportunity to lead at the grassroots level. The future belongs to our youths, and we are creating pathways for them to contribute meaningfully to governance,” he stated.
Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa commended Okpebholo’s commitment to youth inclusion and leadership development, noting that the administration had created opportunities for young people to occupy key positions in government.
The highpoint of the event was the official unveiling of the party’s Edo South Senatorial candidates by the governor, including Engr. Ogbeide Ihama as the senatorial candidate, Dr Paddy Iyamu for Oredo Federal Constituency, and Bar Omorede Igbinedion for Ovia Federal Constituency, among others.
