Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, recently revealed that residents have affectionately renamed him from "Akpako Rescue" to "Okpe’s baby." This change reflects the positive reception he has been receiving from the public, which he expressed during a live broadcast on ITV and Radio.

While recounting a stroll along Sapele Road, Okpebholo shared his delight at the warm interactions he has experienced. He noted, "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."

The governor's remarks come as he also expressed his unwavering support for President Bola Tinubu, attributing his confidence to the economic reforms being implemented by the federal government. During a meeting with supporters, he highlighted the positive impact these reforms are having on the economy, particularly in stabilizing prices and the foreign exchange market.

"Why do I have confidence to talk about Mr President? It’s because of many reforms this man has put in place that is yielding fruit for this country," he stated, urging business owners and the public to recognize the changes since Tinubu took office. He emphasized that the economic landscape is improving, particularly for those involved in business.

Okpebholo pointed out that the exchange rate has shown relative stability, with the naira strengthening against the dollar. He contrasted this with the common perception that prices in Nigeria only rise, saying, "Those days we used to say something, prices that go up in Nigeria never come down. But you can see prices of dollars coming down gradually, and it’s not going back up."

In defending the recent removal of the petrol subsidy, Okpebholo argued that this policy was necessary to dismantle a system that disproportionately benefited a select few individuals. He praised Tinubu's decision, asserting that it was a step towards ensuring that the country's resources are more equitably distributed. "This man has been able to remove oil subsidies, whereby few individuals are serving the work of this country in their palm," he concluded, reinforcing his belief in the reforms being undertaken at the national level.