Photo: Gov Monday Okpebholo
By: Mandy Park
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has accused opposition parties of exploiting the country’s security challenges to discredit the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that no amount of political maneuvering would prevent the President’s re-election in 2027.
The governor made the remarks on Tuesday during the official flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign for the forthcoming local government elections in Edo South Senatorial District.
Speaking before party supporters and stakeholders, Okpebholo declared that the Presidency remained firmly in the hands of the APC, stressing that there was “no vacancy in Aso Rock.”
According to him, opposition elements were allegedly using incidents of kidnapping and insecurity as political tools to undermine the Federal Government.
“There is no vacancy in Aso Rock. They can even kidnap all of us, but there is still no vacancy in Aso Rock,” the governor said.
“What is happening today is the handiwork of the opposition. They have failed. Is it by kidnapping children that they want to gain power? Who are they going to govern if there is nobody left to govern? Let them allow peace to reign so that government can focus on delivering good governance.”
The governor maintained that President Tinubu’s administration had achieved more than previous governments in terms of infrastructure and economic reforms, noting that the benefits of the fuel subsidy removal were becoming visible through ongoing development projects across Edo State and other parts of the country.
He urged APC members to remain united and committed ahead of the local government elections and the 2027 general elections.
Okpebholo also congratulated candidates who emerged victorious during the party’s primary elections, expressing confidence that their success at the polls would strengthen the APC’s grassroots presence and contribute to the party’s ambition of delivering 2.5 million votes for President Tinubu in the next presidential election.
In his address, Edo State APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, described the ruling party as the most formidable political platform in the state and called on candidates to take the governor’s developmental achievements to every community.
He urged the flag bearers to engage residents at the grassroots and replicate the administration’s development agenda in their respective local government areas if elected.
The event featured the formal presentation of APC candidates for Edo South, including former House of Representatives member Ogbeide Ihama for Edo South Senatorial District, Paddy Iyamu for Oredo Federal Constituency, and Omorede Igbinedion for Ovia Federal Constituency, among others.
The Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) has scheduled the state’s local government elections for July 11, 2026, across the 18 local government areas.
Political activities have continued to intensify in Edo State ahead of the polls, with major parties mobilising supporters and unveiling candidates in preparation for what is expected to be a keenly contested election.
