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Oba of Benin Calls on Okpebholo to Fulfill Campaign Promises to Edo People
The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has called on Edo State Governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to remain committed to the promises he made during his campaign, urging him to prioritize the welfare of the people and deliver on his mandate.
This message was delivered when the governor-elect and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, paid a visit to the Benin monarch at his palace following their victory in the September 21, 2024, governorship election.
Senator Okpebholo, who ran under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was declared the winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), securing a total of 291,667 votes.
His closest competitor, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), received 247,566 votes. The victory has been widely acknowledged as a significant achievement for the APC in Edo State.
During the meeting, Oba Ewuare II expressed his gratitude to God for the peaceful conduct of the election, attributing the calm atmosphere to divine intervention and the prayers of the people.
He noted that the peaceful transition of power was a blessing for the state, and he urged the governor-elect to take his new role seriously by delivering good governance to the people of Edo State.
The Oba emphasized that the foundation of effective leadership lies in keeping campaign promises, stating, “Good governance starts with fulfilling the commitments you made to the people.
We thank God Almighty for the peaceful election, and we continue to pray for peace and tranquility in our state.”
The monarch also extended his appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ensuring the election process was conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner, highlighting the role of national leadership in safeguarding democracy.
Oba Ewuare II reassured Senator Okpebholo that the palace would remain open to him at all times, offering support and guidance as he embarks on his new journey as governor.
“This palace is open to you whenever you need, even if it’s at 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. You are welcome here, and I will see you,” the royal father promised, underscoring the importance of maintaining a close relationship between traditional institutions and the state government.
In response, the governor-elect expressed his gratitude to the Oba for his blessings and support.
Senator Okpebholo, along with his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, presented their certificates of return to the monarch, a gesture symbolizing their readiness to serve the people of Edo State.
Okpebholo assured the Oba that his administration would be people-focused, pledging to work tirelessly to improve the lives of citizens across the state.
The governor-elect was accompanied by key figures from the APC during his visit, including Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who played a significant role in the election campaign, former deputy governor Pius Odubu, APC state chairman Jarret Tenebe, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, and Lucky Imasuen, among others.
The delegation represented a strong show of unity and support within the party as they prepared to take over the leadership of Edo State.
This meeting between the Oba and the governor-elect marks the beginning of a new chapter in Edo’s political landscape, with the expectations of the people firmly placed on the shoulders of Senator Okpebholo to deliver on his promises and bring progress to the state.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has reportedly declared a strike at Taraba State University over outstanding salary-related demands and delays in payments.
The strike is scheduled to begin today, October 12, 2026. According to the union’s chairman, the union had been engaging the Taraba State Government over its outstanding demands since February 2026.
“The union had exercised considerable patience and demonstrated its commitment to dialogue since February 2026, when it began engaging the Taraba State Government over the outstanding issues,” Mbave said.
“The union had earlier suspended its planned industrial action following an appeal by the government for additional time through the Office of the Head of Civil Service, in the interest of maintaining industrial harmony,” the chairman added.
The Chairman of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, Torseer Yina, has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the ancient town.
The curfew takes effect from Thursday, October 8, 2026, following unrest and violent protests in the area.
According to reports, the action was taken to contain the unrest and violent protests by members of BEMOA following the death of one of its members by unknown gunmen.
The protest, which was reportedly hijacked by hoodlums, turned violent after an angry mob burnt two vehicles belonging to the Benue State Civil Protection Guards.
The Gboko council chairman said the curfew takes effect immediately and warned that anyone caught flouting the order or breaching public peace would be decisively dealt with.
Nine people have died in a fatal road crash along the Ijebu-Ode-Benin Expressway in Ogun State.
The crash occurred on Monday at about 4:55pm around the Bethel area along the Ijebu-Ode/Ore axis of the expressway. It involved a white Toyota Hiace commercial bus belonging to Delta Line and a white Sino truck operated by Bill Gas Solution Ltd.
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), all nine people involved in the crash, comprising three males and six females, died in the incident.
The FRSC said the crash occurred while it was raining and the road was wet, with preliminary investigations identifying speed violation as the probable cause.
The FRSC rescue team arrived at the scene shortly after receiving the report, while the bodies of the victims were taken to the General Hospital Morgue in Ijebu-Ode.
The Ogun State Sector Commander, Oludare Ogunjobi, urged motorists, especially commercial drivers, to obey speed limits and exercise extra caution when driving in the rain.
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