Vice-President Kashim Shettima has highlighted federal government projects in Edo State covering roads, electricity, healthcare and security while urging residents to support President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has highlighted the Federal Government’s investments in roads, electricity, healthcare and security in Edo State, urging residents to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Shettima made the appeal on Thursday during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Benin City, held alongside activities marking the second anniversary of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration.
The Vice-President said the Federal Government had responded to the development needs of Edo through major infrastructure projects, including the extension of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway by approximately 100 kilometres into the state.
He also disclosed that work had commenced on the dualisation of roads leading to Auchi and Okpella, while emergency repairs were ongoing on the Benin-Asaba road.
“We have every right to hold us to our word until you can travel these roads in comfort,” Shettima said.
On electricity, he said the completion of the Obrikom-Oben gas pipeline and the construction of new transmission lines would improve power supply, adding that the lines had the capacity to contribute 600 megawatts to the national grid.
Shettima also cited the inauguration of a 30KVA station and solar mini-grid projects in the state, noting that Edo had commenced the regulation of its intra-state electricity market.
On healthcare, the Vice-President said the Federal Government was supporting service delivery at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, which now provides radiotherapy services for cancer patients and subsidised dialysis for eligible patients.
He also listed interventions at Irrua Specialist Hospital and the National Obstetric and Sickle Cell Centre, alongside support for 158 public health facilities in the state through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.
Addressing security concerns, Shettima said the Federal Government had approved additional military and police formations in Edo and recruited more than 500 forest guards from among the state’s youths.
He added that the administration had improved the remuneration and operational capacity of the armed forces and other security agencies.
According to him, the interventions demonstrated the administration’s commitment to addressing the needs of Edo residents, urging them to give 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 disclosed that about 32 state Houses of Assembly had approved the proposed constitutional alteration to establish state police.
He said the initiative would complement the Nigeria Police Force in tackling insecurity across the country.
Akpabio also cited the establishment of the MOPOL 82 Squadron and a new Army division in Edo as part of efforts to strengthen security in the state.
He urged residents to support Tinubu, describing Edo as a strategic APC state in the South-South region.
In his remarks, Governor Monday Okpebholo reiterated his promise that Edo would deliver 2.5 million votes for Tinubu in the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
The governor commended the President for supporting development 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.
He also called on APC leaders and members to mobilise voters across their wards and polling units to secure victory for the party.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, who chairs the Progressive Governors Forum, urged residents to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), describing them as essential for converting political support into votes.
He said the party needed residents to obtain their PVCs and participate in the electoral process on election day.
Similarly, Senator Abdulazeez Yari, Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, urged Edo residents to support Tinubu, citing the administration’s security efforts and improvements in oil production.
The rally attracted governors, former governors, APC leaders and supporters, including former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and Senator Adams Oshiomhole.
Visit GMTNewsng for more news stories.
