Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has revealed that he began participating in Christian ministry and casting out demons when he was about 17 or 18 years old.

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 brought back memories of his early years 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,” he said.

The governor said his early experiences also shaped his understanding of the fight against insecurity, particularly cultism, in Edo State.

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

Recalling his Christian background, Okpebholo also mentioned the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa, founder of the Church of God Mission International, as an influential figure in his faith journey.

“I remember Archbishop Idahosa,” he said.

Idahosa was a prominent Pentecostal Christian leader whose ministry had a significant influence in Edo State and across Nigeria.

Okpebholo has made tackling insecurity and cult-related activities a recurring focus of his administration, particularly amid concerns over their impact on young people in the state.