I Started Casting Out Demons At 17 – Gov. Okpebholo

Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has disclosed that he began his Christian ministry as a teenager, claiming he was already casting out demons by the age of 17 or 18.

The governor made the revelation in a video circulating on X on Tuesday while speaking at the inauguration of the Winlos Centre, owned by Pastor Ohis and Anwili Ojeikere.

Okpebholo said seeing young people gathered in worship at the centre reminded him of his own teenage years, when he became actively involved in Christian ministry.

“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,” Okpebholo said.

He linked those early experiences to his approach to tackling insecurity in Edo State, particularly the fight against cultism and related violence.

“So fighting insecurity, most especially cultism, is not a new thing to me. It’s something that has been happening,” Okpebholo said.

He also recalled the influence of the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa on his Christian journey, mentioning the prominent Pentecostal preacher and founder of the Church of God Mission International.

“I remember Archbishop Idahosa,” he said.

Idahosa was a major figure in the growth of Pentecostal Christianity in Edo State and Nigeria, with his ministry becoming particularly influential across the country.