By Our Reporter

Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has thrown his weight behind the proposed death penalty for kidnappers and bandits being championed by the Edo State Government, declaring that criminals must face the full weight of the law.

Oshiomhole made the declaration on Sunday during the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign for the forthcoming local government elections in Edo North Senatorial District, held at the Public Field, Auchi, in Etsako West Local Government Area.

The campaign rally drew Governor Monday Okpebholo, Minister of Regional Development Abubakar Momoh, Edo APC Chairman Jarrett Tenebe, Deputy State Chairman Sylvester Aigboboh, party leaders, government officials and supporters, who mobilised support for the party’s chairmanship and councillorship candidates ahead of next month’s council polls.

Addressing party faithful, Governor Okpebholo said his administration remained committed to improving the welfare of Edo people through sustained infrastructure development across the state.

According to him, the government has embarked on the construction and rehabilitation of roads, schools, markets and other public facilities aimed at enhancing economic activities and improving living standards.

“We have embarked on massive infrastructural development across the state, including roads, schools, markets and other critical projects. 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, which he said had increased allocations to states and enabled governments to execute more developmental projects.

“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 to construct roads, improve schools and execute other infrastructure projects across Edo State,” he stated.

The governor described the APC campaign as an opportunity to formally present the party’s candidates to the electorate and urged members to work towards securing victory in the local government election.

He also charged party supporters to begin early mobilisation for the 2027 general elections, expressing confidence that President Tinubu would enjoy overwhelming support in Edo State.

Governor Okpebholo further applauded the rehabilitation of the Auchi–Ekpoma–Benin Road, describing it as one of the landmark achievements of the Tinubu administration.

Speaking at the rally, Minister of Regional Development Abubakar Momoh urged the APC candidates to focus on grassroots development and ensure that the dividends of democracy reach communities across the state’s 18 local government areas.

He described the local government election as a critical step towards the 2027 general elections and commended the Edo APC leadership for strengthening the party’s structure across the state.

In his remarks, Oshiomhole said the security situation in Edo had improved under Governor Okpebholo’s administration, stressing that only criminal elements should be worried by the government’s policies.

“I stand here to completely endorse the declaration by the Governor of Edo State that every state in the federation has the constitutional right to enact laws prescribing punishment for state offences. Kidnappers and bandits should face death by firing squad,” he said.

The former governor also reiterated his support for the establishment of state police, arguing that it would complement the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force in tackling insecurity across the country.

Also speaking, Edo APC Chairman Jarrett Tenebe charged the party’s candidates to emulate the state’s founding leaders by prioritising service delivery and grassroots development.

He described local government administration as the closest tier of government to the people and urged prospective council chairmen to work closely with Governor Okpebholo in extending the administration’s developmental agenda to all parts of the state.

The APC is expected to intensify its campaign across the three senatorial districts ahead of the local government elections scheduled for next month.