Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has visited four wards in Uhunmwode Local Government Area as part of his ongoing engagement with party leaders, unit coordinators and grassroots supporters across the state.
Speaking during the visit, Governor Okpebholo said his visit was primarily to appreciate the people for their support during the 2024 o governorship election and to thank the leaders of the various units and wards for standing with his administration.
According to the Governor, his latest visit was different from his campaign visits because the political landscape had changed significantly, with more people now identifying with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“I’m here to visit the leaders of our units and wards and to say thank you. My first visit here was during the campaign, and there is a difference today because at that time, many people were not supporting the APC.
“But today, we have a large turnout of our members, including palace chiefs who are sitting here with us. We now have the road that I promised you,” he said.
Governor Okpebholo attributed some of the progress being recorded by his administration to the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the Federal Government had continued to create an enabling environment for Edo State to pursue its development agenda.
He said his administration was focusing on infrastructure, particularly roads and schools, while also paying attention to security and youth development.
“We are building roads, we are building schools, and your son is the Commissioner for Education. He has just given testimony of what we are doing in the education sector,” the Governor said.
On security, Okpebholo said his administration had made significant progress in addressing insecurity across the state.
“In security, our youths are no longer dying the way they used to. We have fought insecurity to a standstill,” he said.
The Governor also responded to criticisms and what he described as social media noise, saying his administration would remain focused despite criticism.
“To the social media noise makers, we love your talk. We will not run away from your talk because they don’t have any effect on us. We will continue to focus on delivering for the people of Edo State,” he said.
Governor Okpebholo also urged residents and APC supporters in Uhunmwode to support the party’s candidates ahead of the forthcoming elections.
He called for support for Hon. Ogbeide Ihama for Edo South Senatorial District, Hon. Billy Osawaru for the Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency, and Hon. Kaycee Osamwonyi for the Edo State House of Assembly.
The Governor described them as serial winners, citing their previous electoral victories and urging party supporters to remain united behind the APC candidates.
The visit also witnessed the defection of members of opposition political parties into the APC, with the state party leadership formally welcoming the new members.
The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, commended the leadership and people of Uhunmwode for the warm reception accorded Governor Okpebholo.
He said the delegation was in the local government primarily to engage with unit leaders and party members at the grassroots.
Idahosa also criticised the previous administration over the condition of roads in the area, saying the people had waited for years for the road to be addressed.
“It is a shame that the former Governor, Godwin Obaseki, could not fix this road for the community,” he said.
The Edo State Chairman of the APC, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, praised Governor Okpebholo for what he described as remarkable achievements across Edo State.
Tenebe also welcomed the new members who defected to the APC, urging them to fully participate in the party’s activities.
Speaking on the forthcoming elections, the APC chairman said the party was prepared for the contest and would mobilise its members across the state.
He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to the principle of “one man, one vote,” while calling on party members to protect the electoral process.
The Commissioner for Education, Hon. Washington Osifo, and the Executive Chairman of Uhunmwode Local Government described Governor Okpebholo’s visit to the wards as historic.
They noted that the Governor’s decision to directly visit units and wards demonstrated his administration’s emphasis on grassroots engagement.
Osifo, who is an indigene of the area, also highlighted recent interventions in the education sector, noting that schools had received infrastructure and laboratory equipment.
He recalled that only two days earlier, the Governor had visited schools where new equipment was provided, including laboratory kits containing about 200 apparatus.
The Commissioner said the Governor was particularly pleased to see the completion of the road he had promised the people during his campaign.
He noted that the Governor had made a commitment to construct the road during his campaign and fulfilled the promise within months of assuming office.