Okpebholo, Wike urge LG chairmen to drive development at equipment launch

2026-02-23 - 18:17

By Ozioruva Aliu BENIN CITY – THE governor of Edo State, Sen Monday Okpebholo and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike on Monday urged local government council chairmen across the 18 local government areas of the state to ensure infrastructural development in their localities. This charge was given in Benin City at the distribution of 54 earth moving equipment consisting of graders, payloaders and trucks which was distributed three per council. The governor said, “Today marks a significant step in our commitment to grassroots development in Edo State in line with our SHINE Agenda. “Development must not be concentrated at the centre; it must reach every village, every community and every ward. Our local governments must have the capacity to deliver practical governance for the Edo people. “These machines are tools of transformation. They are meant to open rural roads, improve drainage, support sanitation, and accelerate local infrastructure delivery. They are not for show. They are not for storage. They are for work.” Commissioning the equipment, Wike praised the governor’s commitment to rural development and economic empowerment at the grassroots. He said, “You have demonstrated that you love the economy of the local government. You have demonstrated that development must go to the rural areas. You have laid the foundation for Mr. President to be re-elected,” He added, “Let me tell you, as the other opponent was busy deceiving people buying corn on the road, Mr. President was busy developing the FCT. FCT has 62 councillors, APC took 45, PDP took 17. This shows the ruling party from the opposition party.” Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, said governance is about identifying with the ordinary man and using political will to protect their interests. Speaking on behalf of council chairmen, the ALGON Chairman and Chairman of Etsako East Local Government Area, Hon. Sunny Ekpeson, described the commissioning as a celebration of practical governance and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He said, “We are here to take the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President to the grassroots. Governance stopped during the time of Adams Oshiomhole and it has resumed again now during the time of Monday Okpebholo,” The APC Chairman in Edo State, Jarrett Tenebe, said the party has succeeded in driving out bad governance, noting that Governor Okpebholo has brought practical governance and visible development. “I advised the Action Democratic Congress (ADC) not to come into Edo State as the governor is working and the state is not for other political parties,” Tenebe said, urging opposition parties not to constitute obstacles to development. He added that no opposition could stop the 3.5 million votes promised to President Tinubu. Also speaking, the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Edo State, Edesili Anani Okpebholo, commended the administration for driving development to the grassroots.