Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has been called upon to urgently look into the security situation in the state as citizens have been overwhelmed with fear on a daily basis.

National Chairman of the Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP), Dr. Samson Isibor, made the call in Benin City while addressing guests at the 2025 CRPP award ceremony.

According to Isibor, the insecurity situation in Edo State is quite alarming and overwhelming as Edo people cannot sleep with their eyes closed again; the bandits, Fulani herdsmen, and terrorists have taken over our bushes, highways, and farms.

“They have choked us to the extent of chasing us into our homes to pick us up like fowls. That’s why we are shouting that Governor Okpebholo should come to our rescue to fulfill his electioneering promises to deliver us from the hands of bandits/herdsmen, because the bandits have impoverished us through the unbearable levy ranging from N20 million to N100 million and above,” he stated.

Isibor, who is the organiser of the award, observed that people praised Edo State Okpebholo with titles such as Akpako-Rescue and Akpabo-Messiah.

While noting that the governor has not done enough to deserve such recognition, the CRPP chairman observes that sycophancy most times makes people in positions of authority relax and not wake up to their responsibilities.

“Governor Okpebholo should rise up to the occasion and free us from the situation we find ourselves in. We know some sycophants are calling you different nicknames, such as Akpako-Rescue and Akpako-Messiah, which you are not,” he stated.

He congratulated Okpebholo on his one year in office and appreciated him for what he has done so far, especially for the construction of the Ramat Park overhead bridge and the Adesuwa Road overhead bridge, which are ongoing, and for the reactivation of the defunct Edo Line.

He, however, pointed out that what the governor has done so far is below the expectation of the people of the state.

The CRPP chairman urged the governor to generate employment through agricultural programs, as his counterpart in Ekiti State, Governor Oyebanji, has done so.

He observed that schools in the state are in dilapidated conditions, with many schools not conducive for learning, without teachers, and with pupils sitting on bare floors.

He further observed that the majority of roads in the state are totally written off, as they are not motorable, noting that the rehabilitation of rural roads is even preferable to the overhead bridge being constructed by the Okpebholo-led administration in Edo State.

Isibor, therefore, called on Okpebholo not to misplace people’s priorities.

The CRPP Awards recognise and honour outstanding contributions of leaders across both public and private sectors, including politicians and security personnel who have excelled in their various endeavours.

It also recognises excellence, achievements, performance, humanitarian activities, and philanthropic gestures.

The names of the awardees are: Deacon Friday Ekhortomwen, Dr. Bright Olumense, Amb. Ikponwonsa Oribabhor, Dr. Wilson Imogan, Comrade Roy Oribabhor, Lucky Osita, Rev. Stanley Asabor, and Chief Stanley Ndubuisi.