The governor of Edo State, Mr. Monday Okpebholo has expressed confidence that Nigeria’s economy will become as strong as those of the United States and England when President Bola Tinubu completes his economic reforms.
He made the statement in a video that has gone viral on social media while addressing supporters, defending the president’s decision to remove the fuel subsidy and arguing that the reforms would eventually strengthen the economy.
He said Tinubu had demonstrated the courage needed to implement the policy, which previous administrations had been unable to carry out, adding that the country would recover from the economic difficulties associated with the changes.
“Mr President is a man of courage. For many years, Nigeria has been battling to remove fuel subsidy, and no president, right from Obasanjo to our own Goodluck, could remove fuel subsidy. Nobody dared to say it because the removal of fuel subsidy could even remove a president from office.
“But within a twinkle of an eye, in a few minutes, in a few seconds, this president summoned courage and said it was better for him to deliver this country and reform its economy. He removed that fuel subsidy. That is why you have seen the boost in Nigeria’s economy today.
“The reforms of Mr President are succeeding. Let the common man be the one to enjoy this money. So already, there are so many holes that have been created.
“Those holes are what he is filling now. By the time he cements all those holes, Nigeria will bounce back. Nigeria will be strong like America. Nigeria will be as strong like England. Our economy will be very strong. The only man who had the courage to do it is the president.
Okpebholo also cited the increase in federal allocations to states as he discussed the economic changes under Tinubu’s administration, referring to a conversation with former Edo State Governor and senator Adams Oshiomhole.
“I was talking to Adams Oshiomhole. I asked him, ‘When you were governor, how much were you getting?’ He said three billion naira. But today, I thought he was getting close to 20 billion naira.
The governor further pointed to infrastructure development in Benin City, the Edo State capital, as evidence of the changes taking place in the state, highlighting the construction of flyovers and the city’s changing appearance.
“Before now, when you got to Benin, which we call the ancient city, it looked different. With the introduction of our new flyovers in Benin, the city is now looking like a modern city.
Turning to the forthcoming presidential election, Okpebholo urged his supporters to mobilise votes for Tinubu, recalling his pledge to deliver 2.5 million votes.
“On the 16th of January, we will go to the polls again to elect our president and vote for our president.”
He reiterated the target while asking supporters whether they would fulfil the promise.
“This time, how many of you know my promise of 2.5 million votes? Are you aware of my promise of 2.5 million votes? Are you aware of the 2.5 million votes? Are we going to get them? Are we going to get them?”
