Edo Safer Than Ever: Governor Okpebholo Highlights Landmark Achievements Ahead Of First Anniversary

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has asserted that the state is now safer and freer than it has been in years, highlighting his administration’s achievements across multiple sectors since taking office.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a statement released Thursday via his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, Okpebholo said his government has successfully curtailed violent cultism in Edo through strategic security interventions, coordinated intelligence, and firm political will.

Describing the fight against cultism as one of his administration’s most decisive initiatives, the Governor emphasized that the commercialisation of violence would never be tolerated under his leadership.

He noted, “Every life in Edo matters to me. Our fight against cultism, kidnapping, and all forms of violent crime is total and irreversible. This is not political; it is humanitarian.”

Okpebholo praised the collaboration between his administration and security agencies, including the police and DSS, for restoring peace across the state. “Today, Edo is safer, calmer, and freer than it has been in many years. Our focus is not the next election but the next generation. We came to change the narrative and restore order after years of fear and neglect.”

Highlighting improvements in public safety, he explained that investments in security—vehicles, logistics, and operational support—have been crucial in curbing crime. “Before last Christmas, cult-related killings were rampant. Our coordinated approach restored calm. Nightlife has returned in Benin and other areas, and people now walk freely at night. That is good governance: protecting lives and restoring citizen confidence.”

Governor Okpebholo also addressed the state’s infrastructure and education sectors, lamenting the decay inherited from the previous administration. He revealed that schools across the three senatorial districts have been rebuilt, restoring teachers’ morale and parents’ trust.

“When we took over, public schools were in shambles, with leaking roofs and broken furniture. Today, schools have been reconstructed, and enrollment has surged as public confidence returns,” he said.

On agriculture, the Governor reaffirmed his commitment to food security, noting plans to open more farmlands and encourage a return to farming to boost food supply and economic growth.

Financial prudence, transparency, and accountability have been key priorities. Okpebholo stressed that Edo’s resources are managed carefully, with debts being repaid despite the ₦600 billion left by the previous administration. He cited the Radisson Hotel project as a major inherited financial burden, noting that his government is paying off liabilities in a structured manner while settling outstanding entitlements for teachers, doctors, pensioners, and staff.

“The achievements so far are only the beginning. We have subdued violent cultism, restored safety, revived schools, reawakened agriculture, and reclaimed public trust. But we are not done yet. Edo is being rebuilt step by step, ensuring that every citizen experiences peace, progress, and prosperity,” Okpebholo concluded.

“We will not return to the days of fear and bloodshed. Edo belongs to all of us. Together, we will protect it, rebuild it, and make it shine again.”