Kingsley Ohens reporting
Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, has thrown his weight behind the proposal by the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo to impose the death penalty on convicted kidnappers and bandits, describing the measure as a necessary response to the growing threat of violent crimes.
Oshiomhole made the declaration on Sunday while addressing thousands of supporters at the official flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign for the forthcoming local government elections in Edo North Senatorial District. The event, held at the Public Field in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area, attracted top party leaders, government officials, and supporters from across the district.
Governor Monday Okpebholo led the APC campaign rally alongside the Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh; the Edo State Chairman of the APC, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe; the Deputy State Chairman of the party, Hon. Sylvester Aigboboh; and other senior government and party officials, who collectively rallied support for the party’s candidates ahead of the July local government elections.
Addressing party faithful, Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to delivering sustainable development and improving the welfare of Edo people through strategic investments in infrastructure and social services.
According to the governor, his administration has embarked on extensive infrastructure projects across the state, including the construction and rehabilitation of roads, schools, markets, and other public facilities aimed at enhancing the quality of life of residents.
“We have embarked on massive infrastructural development across Edo State, including roads, schools, markets, and other critical projects. These achievements were absent in the past, but today, our administration is delivering practical governance and visible development for the people,” Governor Okpebholo stated.
The governor also praised the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly the removal of fuel subsidies, which he said had significantly increased fiscal resources available to subnational governments for developmental initiatives.
“The removal of fuel subsidy has provided states with greater financial capacity to execute meaningful projects. These resources are being deployed responsibly in Edo State through massive investments in roads, education, markets, and other critical sectors,” he added.
Governor Okpebholo described the local government election campaign as an important political milestone and called on party supporters to intensify grassroots mobilization efforts, while reiterating the APC’s commitment to delivering a substantial electoral victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
He also commended the successful rehabilitation of the Auchi-Ekpoma-Benin Road, describing it as one of the significant infrastructural achievements of the Tinubu administration.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, urged APC candidates seeking local government offices to prioritize grassroots development and ensure that democratic dividends reach communities across all 18 local government areas of Edo State.
“This election represents an important step towards the 2027 general elections. I commend the leadership of our party for building a strong political structure in Edo State and urge our candidates to remain committed to service delivery and grassroots development,” Momoh said.
In his remarks, Senator Oshiomhole asserted that democratic freedoms and civil liberties had been strengthened under Governor Okpebholo’s administration, stressing that law-abiding citizens had no reason to fear the government’s security initiatives.
“I stand here to fully endorse the declaration by the Governor of Edo State. We operate a federal system where states have the constitutional authority to enact laws prescribing punishments for offences within their jurisdiction. Therefore, kidnappers and bandits should face the ultimate sanction through death by firing squad,” Oshiomhole declared.
The former governor also reiterated his longstanding support for the establishment of state police, arguing that decentralized policing would significantly strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and complement the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force in combating criminal activities.
Also speaking, the Edo State APC Chairman, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, charged the party’s local government candidates to emulate the vision and developmental philosophy of Edo’s founding leaders by prioritizing effective governance and grassroots service delivery.
He emphasized that local governments remain the closest tier of government to the people and urged prospective council chairmen to collaborate closely with Governor Okpebholo’s administration in extending developmental achievements to every community across the state.
The details of the event were contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Edo State, Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele.
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