I deserve national award for discovering Edo governor”, Tenebe begs President Tinubu

“I deserve national award for discovering Edo governor”, Tenebe begs President Tinubu

Edo state All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Emperor Jarret Tenebe, has described Governor Monday Okpebholo as one of Nigeria’s rising political assets, and called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to honour him with a national award for identifying the governor who defeated the ‘evil government’ of ex-governor Godwin Obaseki.

Tenebe made the passionate appeal yesterday in Benin city while speaking at the grand event marking governor Okpebholo’s one year anniversary in office.

The gathering, attended by top party chieftains, senators, ministers, federal and state officials, and traditional rulers including the Oba of Benin, was filled with tributes to the governor’s development agenda.

During the event, Tenebe’s deviated from everyone’s testimony about the governor’s achievement. He was charismatic in his approach. It was a fiery and unconventional speech that seized the moment.

In his characteristic candour, the APC chairman said what distinguishes Governor Okpebholo from other political leaders is his rare gift of uniting people who were once on opposite sides of the divide.

His words, “Two weeks ago in Uromi, I saw something I never thought possible,” Tenebe said. “On the same podium stood the governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Minister Abubakar Momoh, General Cecil Esekhaigbe, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, and Dr. Pius Odubu among other leaders; all of them together as one. That is what leadership means”.

He likened the moment to a tourist scene he once witnessed in Singapore, where “a cat and a mouse were feeding from the same plate.” The imagery, he said, perfectly captured the peace and cooperation that Okpebholo has brought to Edo politics.

His words, “This reminded me of my trip to Singapore, when I saw one tourist attraction where cat and mouse were feeding on the same plate. That is what the governor has turned our state into and I am very convinced that it is because of this unity that he has achieved that is making the development in the state possible today”.

Tenebe praised the governor for transforming Edo State into a hub of peace and collaboration, asserting that his leadership has outgrown the local stage.

According to him, “Anyone who can bring such powerful leaders together deserves national recognition,” he said. “Edo State is the heartbeat of the nation. If you can unite Edo, you can unite Nigeria. Governor Okpebholo has shown that he is not just a state governor; he is a national asset.”

The APC chairman also recalled how Governor Okpebholo handled a communal conflict in Uromi involving members of the Hausa community. Rather than allowing the incident to escalate, Okpebholo personally intervened, rallying stakeholders and even travelling to Kano to resolve the matter at its roots.

“That was an issue that could have undone him,” Tenebe said, “but instead, it lifted him to national prominence. He turned a potential crisis into a testimony of peace and leadership.”

In an emotional and light-hearted climax, Tenebe turned to President Bola Tinubu, appealing for recognition; not just for the governor, but for himself as the one who first championed Okpebholo’s political rise.

“Mr. President, I plead with you; for the unity this man has brought to Edo State, for the leadership he is showing, we appeal that you recognize him and give him the party’s full backing,” Tenebe said to thunderous applause.

“And for me,” he added with a smile, “since I discovered this rare gem and stood by him when it mattered most, I too deserve a national honour. In fact, I beg you all to give me an applause before I leave this podium.” The remark drew laughter and cheers from the crowd.

Tenebe didn’t hold back in contrasting the current government with what he described as the “evil and divisive” administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki.

“What we have now is peace replacing rancour, light replacing darkness,” he said. “Governor Okpebholo has restored dignity and given Edo people a reason to hope again.”