Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing the Edo North Senatorial District, has thrown his weight behind the proposed death penalty for kidnappers and bandits by the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Oshiomhole stated that the step was important to combat rising insecurity, emphasizing that criminals should have no place in Edo State.
The former governor spoke to party supporters on Saturday at the All Progressives Congress campaign launch for the Edo North Senatorial District local government elections, which took place at the Public Field in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area.
Patrick Ebojele, Okpebholo’s communications aide, published a statement on Sunday that included his statements.
Oshiomhole stated that the restoration of civil liberties under the current administration meant that only criminal elements had reasons to fear the government.
“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 offenses. So kidnappers and bandits will be punished by death through firing squad,” he said.
The former governor of Edo State also reiterated his support for the creation of state police, saying the initiative would complement the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force in tackling insecurity across the country.
In his presentation, Okpebholo stated that his administration is still committed to enhancing the welfare of Edo inhabitants through the implementation of development projects around the state.
He mentioned that his government is already working on major infrastructure projects such as roads, schools, and markets.
“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 praised President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly the elimination of fuel subsidies, stating that the program has increased the cash available to state governments for development.
“The removal of the 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 said.
The governor described the campaign as an opportunity to formally introduce the APC’s chairmanship and councilorship candidates to voters ahead of next month’s local government elections.
He asked party followers to mobilize massively for the elections and seek to secure 2.5 million votes for President Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
Okpebholo also praised the completion of restoration work on the Auchi-Ekpoma-Benin Road, citing it as one of the Tinubu administration’s great successes.
Also addressing this, Abubakar Momoh, minister of regional development, advised APC candidates to prioritize grassroots development if elected, emphasizing the need to ensure that communities in the state’s 18 local government areas benefit from democratic administration.
“This election is a major step towards the 2027 general election in the country. I thank the leadership of the party for building a strong party in Edo State,” Momoh said.
Jarrett Tenebe, the APC chairman in Edo State, urged the party’s candidates to emulate the state’s founding founders by emphasizing development and quality service delivery at the grassroots.
He defined local government administration as the tier of government closest to the people and urged council chairmen to collaborate closely with Okpebholo to expand the administration’s developmental efforts throughout the state.
Governor Monday Okpebholo, Minister of Regional Development Abubakar Momoh, APC State Chairman Jarrett Tenebe, Deputy State Chairman Sylvester Aigboboh, and other senior government officials attended the campaign launch to rally support for the party’s candidates ahead of the local government elections.
