Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has recounted what he described as unusual occurrences following his election victory and his administration’s campaign against cultism, including claims that a bird died in his office and a dead vulture was found on his bed.
The governor shared the accounts while addressing worshippers at a church gathering, where he spoke about his efforts to tackle cultism and credited prayers with helping him overcome challenges.
According to Okpebholo, one of the incidents occurred after his administration ordered the demolition of the Black House building on Sapele Road, which he associated with cult-related activities.
He said his orderly subsequently informed him that a bird had died near his seat in the office.
“Your prayers matter. Fighting cultism, I praise God. The first, when we broke down the Black House on Sapele Road, a bird died in my office. My orderly came to tell me. He’s here in this church now, that a bird died close to your seat. I said, don’t worry, just throw it. I don’t even want to see. Because that battle has been won,” the governor said.
Okpebholo also recalled an incident he said occurred after he won the governorship election, explaining that he had returned home exhausted after several days without adequate sleep.
He claimed that as he prepared to lie down, something stopped him from getting onto the bed, prompting him to look more closely and discover a dead vulture.
“When I won election, Sylvester is sitting with me here. We went to the house. I was tired. I had not slept for days, and I wanted to jump into the bed. Something held me back. I looked on the bed. I saw a vulture on my bed, dead. It’s not living anymore. That is victory,” he said.
The governor interpreted the experiences as signs of victory in his efforts against cultism, suggesting that the incidents had spiritual significance.
However, the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths of the birds were not independently established in the account, and the governor’s interpretation remains his personal understanding of the events.
Okpebholo’s remarks come against the backdrop of his administration’s stated efforts to tackle kidnapping, cult-related violence and other security challenges in Edo State.
He has previously identified insecurity as a major concern facing the state and pledged to strengthen law enforcement measures against criminal groups.
During the church gathering, the governor also appealed to Christians to pray for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to secure a decisive victory in Edo State in the 2027 general election.
“So for this reason, I have also come to the children of God. I want the President to win in Edo, to win very big, and I need your prayers,” Okpebholo said.
His remarks brought together accounts of personal experiences, religious conviction and political support, highlighting the role faith and religious gatherings continue to play in Nigeria’s public and political life.