ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has thrown his weight behind the Edo State Government’s proposal to impose the death penalty on kidnappers and bandits, declaring that criminals convicted of such offences should face execution by firing squad.
Oshiomhole also renewed his support for the establishment of state police, arguing that it would strengthen efforts to combat insecurity alongside the Nigeria Police Force.
The senator made the remarks while addressing party supporters during the flag-off of the Edo North Senatorial District local government election campaign at the Public Field in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area, according to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Patrick Ebojele.
He said Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration had restored civil liberties in Edo State, insisting that only criminals had any reason 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 offences. So kidnappers and bandits will be punished by death through firing squad,” Oshiomhole declared.
Reiterating his position on policing, the former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said creating state police would complement the operations of the Nigeria Police Force in addressing the country’s security challenges.
Governor Okpebholo, in his address, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of Edo residents through sustained infrastructure development across the state.
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According to him, his government has embarked on extensive road construction, school rehabilitation, market development and other projects aimed at improving the living standards of the people.
“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 commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, saying the policy had significantly increased funds available to state governments for development.
“The removal of 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 stated.
The governor said the campaign provided an opportunity to formally present the APC candidates to voters ahead of next month’s local government election and called on party supporters to work towards delivering 2.5 million votes for President Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
He also hailed the rehabilitation of the Auchi-Ekpoma-Benin Road, describing its completion as one of the major achievements of the Tinubu administration.
Urging party faithful to intensify grassroots mobilisation, Okpebholo called on members to campaign vigorously and ensure victory for all APC candidates in the forthcoming council polls.
Also speaking, the Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, urged the party’s candidates to prioritise grassroots development if elected, stressing that residents in all 18 local government areas of Edo State should enjoy the dividends of democracy.
“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.
The APC State Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, charged the party’s candidates to emulate Edo’s founding leaders by placing development and quality service delivery at the heart of local governance.
He described local government as the closest tier of government to the people and urged incoming council chairmen to work closely with Governor Okpebholo to extend the administration’s achievements to every part of the state.
Deputy APC State Chairman, Sylvester Aigboboh, alongside other senior government officials, also attended the campaign rally to mobilise support for the party’s candidates ahead of next month’s local government election.