By Seyi Odewale
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has mounted a strong defence of his administration’s performance, insisting that his mandate from the electorate was strictly for development and not political grandstanding,.
Speaking at a town hall meeting in Benin City with members of the Akpakomiza Movement for Tinubu, also known as Team FIGO-Connect, the governor declared that his government would not be distracted by what he described as “stories,” stressing that Edo people voted for tangible development.
“You voted for me for a reason, and that reason is the development of Edo State,” Okpebholo told supporters, restating his vision of transforming Benin from what he called an “ancient city” into a modern one.
The remarks, delivered in a largely partisan setting dominated by APC leaders and allied political groups, appeared aimed at countering growing public scrutiny over governance priorities, fiscal management and the political undercurrents surrounding his administration.
He referenced erosion control works in Temboga, recalling a campaign-era visit to the area, which he said shaped his development agenda.
According to him, intervention projects there have produced “visible results,” though independent verification and technical assessments of the long-term effectiveness of such projects were not discussed.
On accountability, Okpebholo acknowledged that his administration receives the same statutory allocation as previous governments but argued that his government has chosen to deploy resources more responsibly.
“Our work will speak for us. A time will come when Edo people will ask questions and demand accountability,” he said, a statement that, paradoxically, deferred rather than addressed current demands for transparency from civil society groups and opposition voices.
The governor also used the platform to openly align his administration with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic policies, praising the removal of fuel subsidy and ongoing tax reforms.
He claimed that Nigerians earning below ₦150,000 are now exempted from taxation, presenting the reforms as pro-poor, despite widespread public debate over rising living costs and the immediate social impact of the policies.
He further argued that Tinubu’s reforms have blocked financial leakages, adding that beneficiaries of the old system are now “uncomfortable,” a comment that drew applause from party loyalists.
Projects highlighted by the governor included the reconstruction of Sapele Road, erosion and road works in Ogheghe, and interventions in public schools described as long neglected.
The town hall had a pronounced political colouration, with the Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jarrett Tenebe; Commissioner for Energy and Water Resources, Washington Osifo; members of the State Executive Council; and other party leaders in attendance.
In a significant political development, members of the Labour Party’s Obedient Movement announced the collapse of their structures in Edo State and declared support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Speaking for the group, the Edo State coordinator of the Obedient Movement, Comrade Ikhuenbor Felix Igbinevbo, claimed that about 95 percent of those present were Labour Party stakeholders who had resolved to back Tinubu based on confidence in his reform agenda.
“We supported Peter Obi in 2023, but we now believe President Tinubu’s reforms will benefit the common man,” he said.
The meeting ended with renewed pledges of political support for Governor Okpebholo, reinforcing perceptions that the gathering served as much as a mobilisation platform as a forum for civic engagement.
