… Deploys over 2,500 security personnel across Edo
BENIN CITY – As Nigerians across the country marked June 12, Democracy Day, Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has urged citizens to use the occasion to reflect deeply on the historical significance of the day and recommit themselves to the values of democracy, justice, and national unity.
In a press statement by
Fred Itua, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, the Governor described June 12 as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic history.
He said it represents the resilience, courage, and will of the Nigerian people who overwhelmingly voted in the 1993 presidential election, widely believed to have been won by Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (M.K.O.) Abiola.
Governor Okpebholo paid a glowing tribute to Chief Abiola, describing him as a symbol of democratic resistance whose memory continues to inspire generations.
He also acknowledged the sacrifices of countless pro-democracy activists, many of whom endured persecution, imprisonment, and even death, in the struggle to restore civilian rule.
“June 12 reminds us of the moment Nigerians across ethnic, religious, and regional lines rose with one voice to assert their democratic right. It is a date that calls for solemn remembrance and a renewed vow never to take our freedoms for granted,” the Governor stated.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to upholding democratic tenets, including transparency, accountability, and people-first governance.
Governor Okpebholo noted that the SHINE Agenda, his flagship development strategy, is anchored on these values and is already delivering measurable improvements in public services across sectors such as health, security, agriculture, infrastructure, and education.
“Our government is working assiduously to translate democratic ideals into everyday reality for our people. We are focused on delivering dividends of democracy that will uplift communities and enhance economic growth,” he added.
Governor Okpebholo also called on Edo residents to be active participants in governance by constructively engaging with public institutions, demanding accountability, and contributing meaningfully to the progress of their communities.
He wished Edo people and all Nigerians a reflective and peaceful Democracy Day and prayed for continued peace, stability, and prosperity in the state and the country
Meanwhile, Governor Okpebholo, has announced the deployment of over 2,500 security personnel across the state, declaring that his administration has dismantled criminal strongholds and drastically reduced cult-related violence.
Speaking at the Government House in Benin City during the 2025 Democracy Day celebration, Governor Okpebholo said the government’s revamped security architecture has begun yielding results.
“We have flushed out kidnappers from major flashpoints across the state. Cultism has been driven to the barest minimum,” he declared.
The governor said the creation of the Edo State Security Corps, supported by training from the Nigerian military and police, has been central to the success.
“These are not political gestures. These are concrete, life-changing actions made possible through strategic planning and strong political will,” he said.
Okpebholo said that his administration is committed to building a new Edo that delivers real results, protects its citizens, and restores confidence in governance.
He praised President Bola Tinubu as a steadfast leader, linking the president’s “Renewed Hope” agenda to the legacy of Chief Moshood Abiola, who remains a symbol of Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, commended the governor for fostering bipartisan collaboration, noting that the legislature would continue to support his development agenda.
APC State Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, praised the governor for rescuing Edo from what he called “eight years of anti-democratic governance,” while APC leader and former presidential campaign official, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, highlighted the historic contributions of Edo indigenes to Nigeria’s democratic journey.
Also speaking, APC leader Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu lauded Okpebholo’s outreach to opposition figures, saying the effort has made the APC the dominant party in the Assembly.
Retired General Cecil Esekhaigbe, a key APC figure in Edo Central, described the governor as a true symbol of democracy.
The event reached its high point with the formal defection of Senator Neda Imasuen, representing Edo South, from the Labour Party to the APC.
Present at the event were Deputy Governor Hon. Dennis Idahosa, SSG Musa Ikhilor, Chief of Staff Gani Audu, former Deputy Governor Pius Odubu, and other top APC officials and state functionaries.
