Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has promised to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.
Okpebholo was sworn in as the governor at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Tuesday, weeks after winning the election.
“Today, you have officially given me the mandate to preside over our dear State as Governor for the next four years,” Okpebholo said during his swearing-in.
“We will not betray this confidence you have reposed in me and the Deputy Governor, Rt. Honourable Dennis Idahosa.”
The governor thanked the people of the state for their support during the governorship election of September 21 in which he defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s Asue Ighodalo and other candidates.
“Let me start by thanking God Almighty for His grace and incredible blessings. Democracy has triumphed again in our dear State,” the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer in the election told the gathering.
“For me, this is a humbling moment; made possible by you all. Again, I want to use this opportunity to thank you for your peaceful conduct during the 21st September 2024 Governorship Election.”
He promised to make the welfare of the people his top priority and to give preference to supporting small businesses.
The new governor decried the state of roads in the state and the level of insecurity which he described as “ugly”.
But he vowed to “be firm in dealing with criminals and improve the security of our land so that farming and other business activities will flourish again.