Okpebholo says Atiku, Obi, Amaechi failed Nigeria, links insecurity to politics
Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo State, has criticised leading opposition politicians, including Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi and former vice-president Atiku Abubakar, saying they failed the country during their time in public office.
The governor made the remarks on Thursday during an appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television.
Okpebholo expressed confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s chances in the next general election, stating that his performance in office has already secured public support.
“President Tinubu has made a landmark for this country, and this election is already as good as won,” he said, adding that “his work, his policies, are speaking for him.”
The governor also alleged that rising insecurity across the country is being driven by political opponents seeking to undermine the administration ahead of the polls. He claimed that opposition elements are sponsoring incidents such as kidnappings and killings.
“You know that it is the evil people that are creating this insecurity… because the election is coming, they are sponsoring them to come out,” he said.
When asked if insecurity is politically motivated, Okpebholo responded, “Yes, of course,” adding that “the opposition is using them… just to make sure that people will say, ‘Ah, this president is not doing well.’”
He further dismissed the possibility of a strong challenge to Tinubu from opposition candidates, insisting that those seeking to contest against the president had previously failed Nigeria.
“Do you know that these people have actually failed this country in the past?” he said.
On Atiku Abubakar’s record, the governor argued that although he served as vice-president under Olusegun Obasanjo, he was actively involved in key government decisions.
