Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has made a bold declaration, vowing to resign from office if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu fails to secure victory in Edo during the 2027 presidential election.
The governor made the statement during an exclusive sit-down with veteran journalist Babajide Otitoju, insisting that the political atmosphere in Edo has decisively swung in Tinubu’s favour.
“Asiwaju (Tinubu) is even more popular than me here now because Edo people already know that what I’m doing is because of Asiwaju’s impact,” Okpebholo said.
“I’m telling you. You will see the kind of result that will come out from here because there’s no opposition here in Edo. Everybody is for Asiwaju.”
Governor Okpebholo dismissed concerns about former Governor Godwin Obaseki and the PDP, asserting that Edo residents would not support a return.
“You cannot scam Edo and come back here. His poor record will not allow him to come. When children can stand to pray for me, no child on the street will pray for Obaseki. No mother on the street will pray for Obaseki,” he said.
He also downplayed the Labour Party’s influence in the state, crediting President Tinubu for popular infrastructural projects such as the flyovers in Esan and Adesuwa and the ongoing Sapele Road development.
“These are the things that will speak for Asiwaju. And he will win here. Perfectly,” the governor stated.
Governor Okpebholo, a self-described student of the late Chief Tony Anenih, emphasized his grassroots approach to politics, saying:
“My style is not thuggery. You don’t see me with elites; you see me with ordinary people on the streets.”
He concluded with his most audacious claim yet:
“If Asiwaju does not win here, I will resign as governor. I am telling you. I am the one telling you. There is no election here for him. My brother, forget it.”
The statement is expected to spark intense discussions ahead of the 2027 elections, highlighting the governor’s unwavering support for Tinubu and signaling the APC’s confidence in Edo State.
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