Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Friday disclosed that President Bola Tinubu directed him not to interfere with local government allocations, saying the President’s insistence on transparency and local government autonomy has accelerated grassroots development across the state.
He spoke at the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) local government election campaign for Edo Central in Uromi, the governor said he complied with the directive, allowing councils to receive their allocations directly.
He said, “The President loves Edo State. When I met him, he told me not to touch local government funds, and I obeyed. The funds go directly to the local governments, and the chairmen are using them to bring development and growth across the 18 local government areas,” he said.
Okpebholo also assured residents that his administration would sustain its crackdown on criminal elements to make Edo safe for farmers to return to their farms.
He said security remained a top priority, warning that kidnappers, bandits and other criminals would face the full weight of the law, while reaffirming his government’s commitment to protecting lives and property.
Former Governor Adams Oshiomhole urged APC candidates to justify the confidence reposed in them by delivering development at the grassroots if elected, while Edo APC Chairman Jarrett Tenebe called on members to unite behind the party’s candidates ahead of the council polls.
Oshiomhole, urged APC candidates to prepare for the responsibilities ahead, stressing that winning elections must be followed by effective grassroots development.
He thanked President Tinubu for granting local government autonomy and encouraged the party’s candidates to collaborate with the executive arm of government to achieve the vision of transforming Edo’s economy.
The event also witnessed the defection of former PDP chieftains, led by Bishop Anthony Okosun, who pledged support for the Okpebholo administration.
