Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, has tied his political future to Bola Tinubu’s 2027 presidential bid, announcing that he would resign if the president fails to secure victory in the state.
He made the declaration during an interview with AIT.
Okpebholo insisted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has tightened its hold on the state and no longer faces what he described as meaningful political resistance ahead of the next general election.
He argued that Tinubu’s influence has become a decisive factor in the rising visibility of his administration.
According to him, the president enjoys a level of acceptance within Edo that surpasses his own. “Asiwaju is even more popular than me here now because Edo people already know that what I’m doing is because of Asiwaju’s impact,” he said, adding that he is confident the APC will produce a commanding result because “there’s no opposition in Edo.”
The governor said residents are eager to reward the president at the polls. “Everybody is for Asiwaju. The people will thank him with their votes. If he does not win, I’d resign,” he stated.
Okpebholo, who assumed office on 12 November 2024 after defeating the PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo in the state’s governorship contest, dismissed suggestions that the APC lacks grassroots reach.
He attributed his political approach to the teachings of the late Chief Tony Anenih. “I’m a politician. I understudied Chief Anenih, and my style of politics is not thuggery; it’s grassroots,” he explained.
He also launched a scathing critique of his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, arguing that the former governor has become unwelcome among the people.
“Let him come here. Anytime he comes to Edo, where he is, he will be listening to me now. Let him come. I’m not fighting him, but the record will show whether he should come or not,” Okpebholo said.
He added, “He can’t come to Edo. His poor record will not make him come. When children can stand to pray for me, no child would stand on the street to pray for Obaseki. No mother on the street will pray for Obaseki.”
Okpebholo claimed that his early initiatives and outreach efforts have strengthened the APC across the state. He argued that the direction of the 2027 presidential vote in Edo is already clear. “Asiwaju is our father. He’s everywhere on the street. Edo will reward him in 2027,” he said.
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