Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has recalled his teenage years, revealing that he began engaging in spiritual activities and “casting out demons” when he was about 17 or 18.
The governor made the disclosure during a church service at The Votage Church, where he spoke about his upbringing, spiritual experiences and the challenges of insecurity and cultism among young people.
Addressing the congregation, Okpebholo said seeing young people worshipping reminded him of his own teenage years.
“When I see young ones standing in the presence of God, I remember at 17, 18, I had also started casting out demons,” he said.
The governor also linked his experiences as a young man to his understanding of the challenges facing youths today, particularly cultism and insecurity.
“Fighting insecurity, especially cultism, is not a new thing to me. It is something that has been happening,” he said.
Okpebholo also spoke about the influence of the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa on his spiritual background.
The governor’s comments have drawn attention because of his unusual account of engaging in spiritual activities as a teenager, while highlighting his belief that his early experiences shaped his perspective on issues affecting young people today.