‘One good turn deserves another’ — Akpabio seeks re-election for Tinubu in Edo

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged residents of Edo to back President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office. 

He spoke on Monday in Benin during the commissioning of agricultural equipment, including tractors and bulldozers, as part of the first anniversary of Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo.

A statement issued by Jackson Udom, Akpabio’s media aide, quoted the senate president as describing Okpebholo as “God’s will for the people of Edo”.

Akpabio said he was impressed with the governor’s intervention in the education sector, citing the increase in the annual running cost of Ambrose Alli University (AAU) from N41 million to over N500 million.

He said the intervention reminded him of a similar crisis in Akwa Ibom, where medical students “couldn’t graduate after spending 14 years in the university due to lack of accreditation”.

Akpabio said education reforms would strengthen the state.

“When you open the doors of education for the children, you shut the prison doors,” he said.

He also praised Okpebholo’s relationship with his deputy, lawmakers, and party leaders, saying the “unity” in the administration is responsible for the “progress being recorded”.

Akpabio likened Okpebholo’s infrastructural projects to his legacy in Akwa Ibom.

“Just like I brought the first flyover to Akwa Ibom, you are doing the same, so you are God’s will for the people of Edo,” he said.

He added that the governor’s empowerment programmes, including the N1 billion support fund for market women, mirrored initiatives he introduced as governor.

On the 2027 presidential election, Akpabio called for sustained support for Tinubu.

“Continue to pray and support him to do more for you in the next eight years,” he said.

“I thank the people of Edo and the entire south-south region for endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for second term. One good turn deserves another.”

Earlier, Okpebholo thanked Akpabio for attending the anniversary events.

He also urged the federal government to compel Godwin Obaseki, former governor of the state, to return to Edo to “answer to foreign financial dealings” during his administration.