Benin City- The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to Nigeria’s future, as he handed over rebuilt shops destroyed in the January fire incident in Ekpoma and provided financial support to affected victims.

Speaking in Ekpoma and Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area, during the inauguration of ward and local government coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors and a defection rally, the governor highlighted the impact of the Federal Government’s economic reforms.

The event, held at Eguare Public Field in Irrua, also witnessed the defection of members from opposition parties into the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Among notable defectors were Senator Clifford Ordia, Hon. Joe Edionwele, Chief Clifford (aka Cliff Sandra), and Mrs. Ihenyen from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alongside others from the Labour Party (LP).

Okpebholo said the removal of fuel subsidy by President Tinubu—an action previous administrations avoided—has freed up resources now being deployed for development projects nationwide.

“That is the money we are using to work all over Nigeria today,” he said, stressing that the president’s policies demonstrate a firm belief in Nigeria’s long-term prosperity.

The governor disclosed that he recently hosted a critic of the subsidy removal policy and toured him around ongoing projects in Edo State, noting that the visitor was convinced after seeing how funds were being utilized. He added that more independent observers, including Reuben Abati of Arise Television, would be invited to assess projects in the state.

Reaffirming Edo’s political support for the president, Okpebholo said the state is prepared to deliver 2.7 million votes in his favour.

In Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, the governor fulfilled his promise to victims of the January crisis by officially handing over newly reconstructed Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) shops destroyed during the unrest.

He also presented cheques of ₦8 million each to affected shop owners to help them restart their businesses.

Recalling the incident, Okpebholo said he received news of the fire around 3 a.m. and departed Abuja by 4 a.m., arriving in Ekpoma later that morning to assess the damage.

He described the destruction as the work of “evil men” who targeted shops, billboards, and private property to destabilize the community. He added that he visited the palace of the Enogie upon arrival to obtain firsthand information.

“But today, it is a changed story,” the governor said, noting that the reconstruction marks a significant step toward restoring economic activity and normalcy.

He further revealed that President Tinubu monitored the Ekpoma crisis via social media, underscoring the presidency’s attention to national developments.

Dignitaries at the event included the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor; Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku; members of the State Assembly; party leaders; and other stakeholders.

The inauguration and defection exercise were conducted by the Edo State APC Deputy Chairman and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Sylvester Aigboboh, alongside National Assembly members and other party leaders.