Vice President Kashim Shettima has highlighted the federal government’s interventions in roads, electricity, healthcare and security in Edo, urging residents to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Mr Shettima made the appeal on Thursday at the APC presidential campaign rally in Benin City, held alongside activities marking the second anniversary of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration.
He said the federal government responded to Edo State’s development needs through major infrastructure projects, including the extension of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway by about 100 kilometres into the state.
He also said work had commenced on the dualisation of roads leading to Auchi and Okpella, while emergency repairs were underway on the Benin-Asaba road.
“We have every right to hold us to our word until you can travel these roads in comfort,” Mr Shettima said.
On electricity, the vice-president said the completion of the Obrikom-Oben gas pipeline and new transmission lines would improve power supply, with the lines capable of adding 600 megawatts to the national grid.
He also cited the inauguration of the 30KVA station and solar mini-grid projects in the state, adding that Edo had begun regulating its intra-state electricity market.
Mr Shettima said the federal government was also supporting healthcare delivery through the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, which now provided radiotherapy for cancer patients and subsidised dialysis for eligible patients.
He listed interventions at Irrua Specialist Hospital and the National Obstetric and Sickle Cell Centre, as well as support for 158 public health facilities in the state through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.
On security, he said the government had approved additional military and police formations in Edo and recruited more than 500 forest guards from among the state’s youths.
He stated that the administration had also improved the remuneration and operational capacity of the armed forces and other security agencies.
The vice president said the interventions demonstrated the administration’s commitment to addressing the needs of the residents of Edo State, urging them to give Mr Tinubu another mandate to complete ongoing projects.
“We ask that our stewardship be judged by the lives our decisions have touched and the work we are determined to complete,” he said.
Also speaking, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said about 32 state Houses of Assembly had approved the proposed constitutional alteration to provide for the establishment of state police.
He said the initiative would complement the federal police in tackling insecurity.
Mr Akpabio also cited the establishment of MOPOL 82 Squadron and a new Army division in Edo State as part of efforts to strengthen security in the state.
Mr Akpabio urged residents to support Mr Tinubu, describing Edo State as a strategic APC state in the South-South.
In his remarks, Mr Okpebholo reiterated that Edo would deliver 2.5 million votes for Mr Tinubu in the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
He commended the president for supporting projects in the state, particularly the Benin-Auchi-Okene road reconstruction, the extension of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, and the establishment of additional security formations.
The governor also urged APC leaders and members to mobilise voters across their wards and polling units to secure victory for the party.
Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma, urged residents to collect their permanent voter cards (PVCs), describing them as essential to translating political support into votes.
He said the party needed voters to obtain their PVCs and turn out at polling units on election day.
Similarly, Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Abdulazeez Yari, urged residents of Edo State to support Mr Tinubu, citing the administration’s security efforts and improved oil production.
The rally was attended by governors, former governors, APC leaders and supporters, including a former Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje and Adams Oshiomhole.
(NAN)
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