Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has launched a fierce political salvo against opposition figures, accusing them of orchestrating the wave of kidnappings and banditry currently plaguing the country in a desperate bid to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 elections. The governor declared that despite their tactics, "there is no vacancy in Aso Rock."
Okpebholo made this explosive allegation during the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign for the local government council elections in the Edo South Senatorial District. The event, held at the Urhokpota Hall in Benin City, was convened to present the party’s candidates for the forthcoming local polls, but the governor used the platform to address what he described as a grand political conspiracy.
“There is no vacancy in Aso Rock. They can even kidnap all of us, yes, there is no vacancy in Aso Rock. What is happening today is the handiwork of the opposition. They have failed. Have they not failed? Is it by kidnapping children? Then who are you going to govern? There will be nobody for you to govern. So let them give us peace so that we can rule very well,” Okpebholo said to cheers from party supporters.
The governor did not mince words, asserting that the sudden spike in abductions and violent crimes is not accidental but a calculated strategy to sow fear and distrust in the current administration. He insisted that those sponsoring the chaos were acting on a mistaken belief that creating a nationwide security crisis would give them a political edge in the next general election. “Promoting insecurity will not guarantee them the Senate, House of Representatives or the Presidency,” he stated flatly.
While defending the government’s record, the governor argued that the opposition is devoid of any substantive issues to campaign on, given President Tinubu’s performance. “The President has done more for the country than any other president that has ruled the country,” Okpebholo claimed, pointing to the impact of the removal of the fuel subsidy as a key achievement. According to him, the savings from the subsidy removal are already being channelled into visible projects across the nation, including Edo State.
Okpebholo also used the opportunity to rally support for the party’s electoral machinery. He urged the newly unveiled candidates to leverage the governor’s developmental strides in their campaigns, as they aim to secure a clean sweep in the local government elections. He further set a high-stakes target for the 2027 presidential election, expressing confidence that Edo State will deliver 2.5 million votes for President Tinubu.
“Their victories would signal the possibility of the 2.5 million votes promised to President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections,” Okpebholo stated, framing the upcoming local polls as a mere appetizer for the main political contest.
The event featured the official unveiling of APC candidates in Edo South by the governor, including Ogbeide Ihama for Senate, Dr. Paddy Iyamu for Oredo Federal Constituency, and Omorede Igbinedion for Ovia Federal Constituency, among others.
Echoing the governor’s sentiments, the Edo State Chairman of the APC, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, described the party as the only viable political platform in the state. He urged the candidates to take the message of the governor’s developmental strides to the grassroots and to replicate the development agenda if elected.
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party has since reacted strongly to the governor’s claims. The Edo State PDP chapter described the 'No Vacancy' declaration as a TikTok-type content creation intended to mislead President Tinubu and the national leadership of the APC. The PDP challenged the governor to focus on governance rather than making what they termed "baseless accusations" to curry favour with the presidency.
Governor Okpebholo’s incendiary speech signals an escalating political battle ahead of the 2027 elections. By directly linking the nation’s severe insecurity to political opponents, the APC is shifting its defense strategy, attempting to recast public anxiety into a narrative of political sabotage. As families across the country continue to pay ransoms and bury their loved ones, the governor’s stark warning—that there will be "nobody left to govern"—has now become both a political slogan and a haunting prophecy.
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