Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has declared that the people of Edo State will vote overwhelmingly for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, attributing this to the increased financial support and funds the President has released to state governments. Speaking on Thursday, April 30, 2026, during an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’, Okpebholo insisted that his pledge to deliver 2.5 million votes for Tinubu is not a political gimmick but a reflection of the growing public support for the President driven by visible development projects across the state. The governor, who has been a vocal advocate of the President’s re-election, stated that the resources being deployed to states under the Tinubu administration are fuelling unprecedented grassroots development that will naturally translate into electoral dividends.
“The people of Edo State will vote for Bola Tinubu because of the money he’s releasing to us to work for him. It has never happened in Edo State like this before,” Okpebholo stated, responding to questions about the feasibility of securing 2.5 million votes in a state with a voter population that historically produced lower turnouts. He dismissed widespread scepticism over the figure, pointing to the palpable excitement among citizens. “You were on the street with me for just a few minutes. You could hear people shouting ‘2.5 million votes.’ Am I the one shouting? It’s already on the street,” he said.
Addressing the outcome of the 2023 presidential election, where Peter Obi of the Labour Party defeated President Tinubu in Edo with 331,163 votes against Tinubu’s 144,471 votes, Okpebholo attributed the result to the poor performance of the immediate-past administration under former Governor Godwin Obaseki. “Peter Obi defeated Tinubu in Edo State in 2023 because the then governor was not working. He was in the PDP and people wanted to voice out that this governor is not working,” he explained. He argued that the political mood has since shifted due to the tangible progress recorded under his watch and the backing from the federal government.
The governor further advised President Tinubu to focus on commissioning projects rather than active politicking in the state. “The President should relax and come to Edo to commission projects, not to campaign. The work we are doing, and the money Tinubu is releasing to us to work, that is what people are seeing. It’s what will deliver the votes,” he declared. This statement has sparked fresh debate, with critics interpreting it as a suggestion that federal funds are being channeled into political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections. However, Okpebholo maintained that the support is organic, driven by visible infrastructure and economic improvements.
Earlier in March 2026, at a rally in Benin where dozens of opposition party members defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Okpebholo had already assured the President of Edo’s support, stating, “2027 and 2.5 million votes is sure for Tinubu. The President should relax and come to Edo to commission projects, not to campaign, as the state is settled for APC”. He has repeatedly emphasised that the state’s developmental strides are closely tied to federal backing, insisting that “every kobo spent in Edo State is gotten from President Tinubu”.
Amid the governor’s confidence, opposition figures and civil society organisations have voiced concerns over the influence of financial inducements in the electoral process. Nonetheless, Okpebholo remains steadfast, concluding that with 31 APC governors nationwide and visible grassroots development, the ruling party is firmly positioned to retain power in 2027. As the political landscape heats up, the governor’s bold pledge has set the stage for a high-stakes battle in the South-South region.
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