Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has stated that the current surge in abductions across Nigeria is a deliberate attempt to discourage President Bola Tinubu.
Okpebholo argued that a similar strategy was reportedly used against former President Goodluck Jonathan and succeeded, but insisted that it would not work against the current administration.
The governor’s comments come as the nation experiences a fresh wave of abductions by bandits.
In November, bandits attacked the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Oke Isegun, Eruku area of Kwara State, abducting several worshippers during a church service.
In another incident, gunmen believed to be bandits kidnapped 10 people in the Biresawa and Tsundu communities of Tsanyawa Local Government Area in Kano State.
Addressing Igbo leaders at the State Government House in Benin City, Okpebholo described the abductions as politically motivated.
He said: “What they are doing now is kidnapping people simply because they want to discourage Mr President, but he remains resolute.
“They are kidnapping people because somebody wants to win an election. It is not fair. They did this to Goodluck Jonathan and they succeeded, but we already know their trick.”