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Tinubu meets Edo governor-elect Okpebholo and urges attention to state development (photo)
Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Tinubu has urged the governor-elect of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to prioritize development in the state, assuring him of the full support of the federal government and the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF).
The President made this appeal on Thursday in Abuja during a meeting with the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), where the governor-elect and his deputy, Congressman Dennis Idahosa, presented their certificates of return. Tinubu stressed the need for good governance and delivering tangible results for the people of Edo State.
“Governor-elect, you can now tackle the task of development. We are here to work with you. You have seen the progressive governors of the APC. They are truly progressive. Work with them. Learn the ropes and I believe you will be up to the task,” Tinubu said.
Tinubu acknowledged the challenges of democracy, particularly in emerging economies like Nigeria, and congratulated Okpebholo and Idahosa, describing them as symbols of unity and understanding in politics.
“You started as rivals and ended as partners. You are a symbol of good understanding in politics; the man at the helm of our party has already been there. In Kano, he was a favourite, became a second runner-up and became an MP before eventually becoming governor,” the President noted.
Tinubu also commended the efforts of former Edo State governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, progressive governors and the APC leadership in ensuring victory in Edo.
“I saw Adams Oshiomhole radiating with joy. The governors showed up in Edo, they impressed me. They defended the party. They worked hard for the party,” he said.
The President commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for ensuring peaceful elections, noting there was no violence or unrest.
“I have to thank the security agencies. There was no bloodshed, no riots; people voted and returned to their homes in peace, and fears dissipated instantly,” Tinubu added.
He also urged the leadership and members of the APC to remain united and focused on achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda, rejecting criticism from the opposition and stressing the importance of local politics.
“When you hear politicians say ‘all politics is local,’ you have to respect that notion,” Tinubu said.
The President also jokingly referred to the heavy rains on election day, underlining the electorate’s determination to vote, even in adverse weather conditions.
In his remarks, the National Chairman of the APC, Senator Abdullahi Ganduje, commended the efforts of voters who braved the rain to vote without umbrellas, a symbolic rejection of the opposition’s demands.
The APC’s next objective, Ganduje noted, is to secure victory in the upcoming gubernatorial elections in Ondo and Anambra states as part of a broader strategy to increase the party’s presence in the South East.
“Having only two states in the South East as APC is too small for us. We need more states in the South East geopolitical zone,” concluded Ganduje.
The meeting highlighted the APC’s commitment to further strengthen its influence across Nigeria, with the Edo State victory seen as a key stepping stone in that effort.
