Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has confidently predicted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will secure a landslide victory in the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking to the newly elected chairmen of 17 local government councils who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Okpebholo emphasized Tinubu’s leadership and his bold policy decisions, including the controversial fuel subsidy removal.
“2027 is a reality in Edo State as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will continue in office,” Okpebholo declared. “I charge you today that the campaign for the election of President Bola Tinubu has started here. Go back to your various local governments and erect his billboards to draw home the message of re-electing President Tinubu.”
The governor also took a moment to highlight the positive changes his administration has made in Edo State, claiming that when he assumed office, the state was plagued by insecurity, corruption, and poor governance.
“We practically met that Edo was not working when we came into office,” Okpebholo remarked. “What we met in Edo were insecurity, killings, looting the Edo treasury, and other backward policies implemented by the previous administration.”
He expressed optimism that opposition leaders in the state would soon join the APC, driven by the progress made under his leadership. Okpebholo also assured Tinubu of Edo’s unwavering support, predicting that the APC will continue to lead Nigeria after 2027.
Governor Okpebholo further thanked the newly defected local government chairmen and their supporters for their courage. “It takes a grounded politician to take this step,” he said, acknowledging their bold decision to leave the PDP.
In response, Hon. Kelvin Iyere, Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) and chairman of Esan Central LGA, spoke on behalf of the defectors, thanking Okpebholo and the APC for their warm reception.
“We decided to defect because of the crisis in our party and our love for the development Governor Okpebholo has brought to Edo State,” Iyere stated.
The event also saw the presence of key dignitaries, including Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa, APC State Secretary Lawrence Okah, and former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole.