N1 billion security vote monthly yet Edo people are being kidnapped in broad daylight

The Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) has called out Governor Monday Okpebholo over the growing insecurity in Edo State, and I think every Edo person should be paying attention. Just last Sunday, June 14, 2026, a woman was abducted from the Vegetable Market in Benin City in broad daylight — less than 500 meters from the Government House and about 50 meters from the Aideyan police division. The hoodlums operated unchallenged for nearly 30 minutes.

The CRPP national chairman, Dr. Samson Isibor, and national secretary, Nkama Waribe, are asking the question that should be on every citizen's lips: what does Governor Okpebholo have to show for the close to N1 billion he collects every month as security vote? Instead of securing the state, he is busy campaigning for 2.5 million votes for President Tinubu. Meanwhile, the Edo State Security Corps operatives, who are supposed to be patrolling the cities, are busy extorting money from motorists at checkpoints.

Dr. Patrick Ebojele, the Governor's spokesman, says the police are investigating and that the Governor has invested heavily in personnel, equipment, and intelligence. But if the improvement is so evident, why are kidnappers operating right under the nose of the Government House in the capital city? Fear has taken over the three senatorial districts, including Esanland, the Governor's ancestral home. When will our leaders understand that security votes must translate into actual security, not just campaign funds?