… As Edo Gov rebuilds Ekpoma shops, compensates fire victims
BENIN CITY — Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains firmly committed to Nigeria’s future, saying that the Federal Government’s reforms are already unlocking resources for development across the country.
Okpebholo made the remarks in Ekpoma and Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area, during the inauguration of ward and local government coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, alongside a defection rally held at Eguare Public Field, Irrua.
The event witnessed the formal defection of members of a major opposition political party into the All Progressives Congress (APC), including prominent politicians such as Senator Clifford Ordia, Hon. Joe Edionwele, Chief Clifford (popularly known as Cliff Sandra), Mrs Ihenyen, and other members from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as well as entrants from the Labour Party (LP).
According to the governor, the removal of fuel subsidy by President Tinubu, described as a difficult, but necessary decision avoided by past administrations has freed up funds now being channelled into development projects nationwide.
“That is the money we are using to work all over Nigeria today,” he said, adding that the president’s reforms demonstrate long-term confidence in the country’s prosperity.
Okpebholo also said he recently hosted a critic of the policy and took him round ongoing projects in Edo State, noting that the individual was convinced after seeing how the resources are being utilised.
He added that more independent observers, including Arise Television’s Reuben Abati, would be invited to assess projects in the state.
Reaffirming Edo’s political alignment with the presidency, the governor declared that the state is prepared to deliver 2.7 million votes in support of President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Meanwhile, in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, the governor fulfilled his earlier promise to victims of the January unrest by handing over newly rebuilt Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) shops that were destroyed during the incident.
He also presented cheques of ₦8 million each to affected shop owners as financial support to help them rebuild their businesses and livelihoods.
Recalling the January incident, Okpebholo said he was alerted around 3 a.m. and immediately travelled from Abuja at about 4 a.m. to assess the situation, describing the destruction as the work of “evil men” who targeted shops, billboards, and private property in a bid to disrupt peace.
He said he visited the palace of the Enogie upon arrival to obtain first-hand information, expressing shock at the scale of damage, but noted that the rebuilding now marks a return to normalcy and economic recovery in the area.
The governor also disclosed that President Tinubu closely followed the Ekpoma crisis via social media, underscoring the presidency’s attention to developments across the country.
Dignitaries at the event included the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor (SAN); Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku; members of the State House of Assembly; party leaders; and other stakeholders.
The inauguration of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors and the defection exercise were coordinated by the Edo State APC Deputy Chairman and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Sylvester Aigboboh, alongside lawmakers at the National Assembly and other party leaders.