Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has attributed what he described as a change in public perception of his administration to salary payments and infrastructure projects, claiming that residents who previously expressed hostility towards him now welcome him with affectionate nicknames.
The governor made the claim during an interview on ITV Radio on Saturday, recounting his experience while walking along Sapele Road in Benin City, where he said residents greeted him warmly.
According to Okpebholo, his nickname had changed from “Akpako Rescue” to “Okpe’s baby”, a development he said gave him satisfaction and reflected a different atmosphere during his interaction with residents.
“I was on Sapele Road yesterday. They have even changed my name from Akpako Rescue to Okpe’s baby. These things give me joy because I walk freely on the street; instead of throwing pure water at me, they are giving me sweet names,” he said.
The governor attributed the reception to his administration’s record on workers’ salaries and infrastructure delivery, claiming that the projects were executed without resorting to overdrafts.
He also expressed support for the economic reforms of President Bola Tinubu and urged members of his administration to intensify political mobilisation for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Okpebholo’s comments place public reception of his administration alongside salary payments and infrastructure delivery as measures of his performance, although the governor’s account of residents’ reactions was not accompanied by independent evidence of wider public opinion across the state.
