Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole, has expressed support for Governor Monday Okpebholo’s proposal to impose the death penalty on kidnappers and bandits, describing the measure as a necessary response to the state’s security challenges.

Oshiomhole said criminals must not be allowed to operate freely in Edo, stressing that decisive action was needed to protect residents.

He made the remarks on Saturday during the official launch of the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign for the forthcoming local government elections in Edo North Senatorial District. The event took place at the Public Field in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area.

His comments were contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the governor’s media aide, Patrick Ebojele.

According to Oshiomhole, state governments have the constitutional authority to prescribe punishments for offences within their jurisdiction, and he fully supports the Edo State Government’s position on imposing capital punishment on kidnappers and bandits.

“I stand here to completely endorse the declaration by the governor of Edo State that we are in a federation where every state has the right to enact laws on punishment when it comes to state offences. So kidnappers and bandits will be punished by death through firing squad,” he said.

The former governor also renewed his advocacy for the establishment of state police, arguing that such a security structure would strengthen the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force in addressing insecurity nationwide.

Governor Okpebholo, while addressing party faithful, said his administration was committed to improving the living conditions of Edo residents through sustained infrastructure development.

He noted that several projects, including road construction, school rehabilitation and market development, were already ongoing across different parts of the state.

“We have embarked on massive infrastructural development in the state, including roads, schools, markets and others. These achievements were not there in the past, but this administration has made them possible,” the governor stated.

Okpebholo also praised President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, saying the policy had increased the financial resources available to states for 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 as a government to develop Edo State through massive road construction, schools and other infrastructure projects,” he added.

The governor said the campaign flag-off served as the formal presentation of the APC’s chairmanship and councillorship candidates ahead of the local government elections scheduled for next month.

He urged party members to mobilise support for the APC during the polls and called on supporters to work towards delivering 2.5 million votes for President Tinubu in the 2027 general election.

Okpebholo also hailed the rehabilitation of the Auchi-Ekpoma-Benin Road, describing the project as one of the notable achievements of the Tinubu administration.

Also speaking, the Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, encouraged APC candidates to focus on grassroots development if elected, stressing that democratic dividends should reach residents across all 18 local government areas of Edo State.

“This election is a major step towards the 2027 general election in the country. I thank the leadership of the party for building a strong party in Edo State,” Momoh said.

In his remarks, Edo APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe urged the party’s candidates to emulate the state’s founding leaders by prioritising quality service delivery and community development.

He described local governments as the level of government closest to the people and called on incoming council officials to work closely with Governor Okpebholo in advancing development across the state.

The campaign event was attended by Governor Monday Okpebholo, Minister of Regional Development Abubakar Momoh, APC State Chairman Jarrett Tenebe, Deputy State Chairman Sylvester Aigboboh and other senior government officials, who rallied support for the party’s candidates ahead of the local government elections.