Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has said his experience in Christian ministry dates back to his teenage years, recalling that he began casting out demons at about 17 or 18.
The governor made the disclosure while speaking at the inauguration of the Winlos Centre, owned by Pastor Ohis and Anwili Ojeikere.
In a video circulating on X on Tuesday, Okpebholo said the sight of young people gathered in worship reminded him of his own early involvement in Christian activities.
“When I see young ones standing in the presence of God, I remember at the age of 17/18, I’ve also started casting out demons,” he said.
Okpebholo subsequently drew a connection between his early Christian experiences and his administration’s campaign against insecurity, particularly cultism in Edo State.
He said confronting cult-related activities was not a new experience for him, noting that the issue had been present for a long time.
“So fighting insecurity, most especially cultism, is not a new thing to me. It’s something that has been happening,” the governor said.
The Edo governor also mentioned the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa while reflecting on his Christian background.
Idahosa, the founder of the Church of God Mission International, was one of Nigeria’s leading Pentecostal figures and had a significant influence on Christian ministry in Edo State and across the country.
Okpebholo has consistently placed insecurity and cult-related violence among the issues his administration is seeking to address, particularly concerns involving young people.
His latest comments highlight the governor’s personal connection to Christian ministry as he continues to associate his administration’s security efforts with the need to tackle cultism and related violence in Edo State.
