Okpebholo Claims Rising Kidnappings Are Plot to Undermine President Tinubu

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has alleged that the recent spike in kidnappings across the country is a calculated move to weaken President Bola Tinubu politically.

According to the governor, the same strategy was deployed years ago against former President Goodluck Jonathan and it worked at the time. However, he maintained that it will fail under the current administration.

His comments follow a string of violent abductions by suspected bandits in different parts of the country. In November, gunmen invaded the Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, Oke Isegun, in the Eruku area of Kwara State and kidnapped several worshippers during a church service. Around the same period, at least 10 residents were also abducted from Biresawa and Tsundu communities in Tsanyawa Local Government Area of Kano State.

While addressing Igbo leaders at the Government House in Benin City, Okpebholo described the kidnappings as politically driven rather than random criminal acts.

“What they are doing now is that they will go and kidnap people just because they want to discourage Mr President but he is resolute.

“They are kidnapping people because somebody wants to win an election, it’s not fair. They did this to Goodluck Jonathan and they succeeded, but we know their trick already.”