Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his love for Edo people, assuring him of continued support ahead of the 2027 Presidential polls.

Gov Okpebholo’s support was conveyed in a statement on Monday, in Benin City under the signature of Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor, Fred Itua.

According to Itua, Gov Okpebholo stated this in his goodwill message during a food outreach by the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), through its Social Investment Programme (SIP).

At the event which held at the New Festival Hall of Government House, Benin City, Edo State, Gov Okpebholo said the electorate in Edo State will give the President 100 percent of their votes in the 2027 presidential election for remembering the vulnerable in the State.

The RHI food outreach began on the 8th of March, 2024, and about seven states, including Edo, have benefited from the initiative so far. The other States include Kano, Benue, Nasarawa, Ekiti, Cross River, and Gombe, while states like Kwara, Kogi, and Abia are next in line.

Gov Okpebholo commended the First Lady of Nigeria and Chairperson of RHI, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her love and motherly role in ensuring that the people of Nigeria enjoy the dividends of democracy.

He noted that the initiative of the First Lady would not have been successful without the support of President Tinubu, assuring him that the people of Edo State will support him for a second term if and when he decides to run.

“The entire people of Edo State are very appreciative of this kind gesture of food outreach and donations of different food items to the vulnerable in Edo State.

“We are happy in Edo State, and the people are beginning to see and enjoy a new dawn. Look at food items all over the place in this hall, all thanks to the president and his wife for this great initiative that Edo people are benefitting from today.

“We are assuring you, Mr. President of our 100 percent votes in the State come 2027 presidential election, and if possible, we will give you more than 100 percent,” he declared.

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, recalled that the food outreach commenced in March 2024.

Represented by the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, the First Lady said the initiative has made significant progress in supporting women and youths for the betterment of their lives.

She advised beneficiaries not to sell the food items but to make good use of them for the benefit of their families.

“This food outreach began last year in March 2024 in Abuja to provide vulnerable households with food to support their families. We have been able to distribute food items to seven states across Nigeria.

“The RHI has made significant progress in efforts to support our people, particularly women and youths, for a better life. Under this initiative, there will be more activities this year that cover Education, Health, Economic Empowerment, Social Investments and Agriculture. This programme aims to further compliment the renewed hope agenda of the President Tinubu administration,” she said.

Coordinator of the office of the First Lady of Edo State, Edesili Anani Okpebholo, thanked the First Lady for the initiative which in less than two years has touched the lives of millions of Nigerians, assuring that the vulnerable in the State will get the food items.

She also appreciated Gov Okpebholo for his developmental strides in less than three months in office. She noted that his support for the RHI programmes in the State has recorded great success. Items distributed included noodles, semovita, and pasta, among others.

Other guests at the food outreach included the Secretary to Edo State Government Musa Ikhilor; Deputy Chief of Staff, Pius Alile; Wife of former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Anna Shaibu; leaders of market women; serving commissioners; political women leaders across the state; heads of security agencies in the state, Permanent Secretaries, several widows, among others.

Apathy overshadowed Saturday’s local government elections in Ondo State, as many residents failed to participate in the electoral process, citing a lack of confidence in its impact.

Reports revealed that polling centers across the state recorded minimal activity.

In Okitipupa, residents were seen carrying on with their daily routines, with some staying indoors and others engaging in business as usual.

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Private and commercial vehicles, as well as motorcycles, moved freely on the roads, while a few traders kept their shops open.

Speaking to NAN, some residents attributed the low turnout to disillusionment with the electoral process and the government’s failure to address the country’s economic woes.

A commercial driver at the Okitipupa New Garage, who identified himself as Segun, explained his decision to abstain from voting.

“What have we gained from all the elections we have been participating in? Nothing but untold hardship and hunger. I no longer have interest in the process,” he said.

Another resident, Mr. Charles Ikuedowo, a commercial motorcyclist, highlighted the harsh economic realities as a major deterrent.

“There is serious hunger in the country. The only way out now is to work hard to feed our families. I can’t waste time voting,” he stated.

Madam Felicia Akingbaso, a beverage vendor, shared her frustration with the political system, describing the election as a waste of time.

“Politicians make big promises during campaigns, but once they win, they vanish. Participating in the election feels like a waste of time,” she lamented.

Yetunde, a charcoal dealer, also expressed her disappointment, saying:
“Going to the polling center to vote is a waste of time.”

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has addressed the incident that occurred during the presentation of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) 2025 budget to the Joint Committees on Police Affairs and Police Institutions at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, on January 16, 2025.

The IGP, in a statement on Friday, January 17, 2025, described the disruption as unnecessary and avoidable, clarifying that the document he presented was shared with all committee members beforehand.

According to the IGP explained that two versions of the budget documents were provided to the committee members: a comprehensive copy and an abridged version.

While both contained same figures and facts, the abridged version used simplified language to facilitate understanding.

At the start of the session, the committee members unanimously agreed with a motion that the IGP should present the abridged version since they all had access to both documents.

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However, distinguished Senator Onyekachi Nwoebonyi (Ebonyi North), who arrived late, began referencing the comprehensive version while the IGP presented the abridged version. Despite explanations from other committee members about the earlier agreement and the consistency between both versions, the senator refused to listen and abruptly left the session.

The IGP described the incident as unnecessary drama that could have been avoided had the senator been receptive to the clarifications provided.

The IGP reiterates that the Nigeria Police Force did not submit two different 2025 budgetary proposal documents to the joint committees at the National Assembly, contrary to the reports circulating in the news and media outlets.

The Inspector-General has also reiterated the significant challenges the NPF faces with budget allocations.

These include inadequate funding, which hampers modernization and effective service delivery, the restrictive envelope budget system, and delays in fund releases.

These challenges continue to impede the Force’s ability to address its expanding and dynamic responsibilities.

In conclusion, the IGP called on the public to remain patient and supportive of the Police as the Force remains committed to delivering exceptional service with professionalism and dedication.

ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA.
17th January 2025.