BENIN: Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has predicted that opposition parties in the state will cease to exist before the 2027 general elections.
The governor made the assertion over the weekend at the campaign flag-off for the August 16 senatorial by-election in the Edo Central Senatorial District.
During the event in Uromi, Governor Okpebholo called on candidates from opposition parties to abandon their bids, join the ruling All Progressives Congress APC to support his administration’s development efforts.
APC state Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, joined the governor in welcoming several decampees from the Peoples Democratic Party PDP.
Among those who crossed over were Alhaji Esiwele Musa, Abraham Osazuwa, Sunny Ejie and Robert Okoneme, alongside other PDP leaders from various wards.
Okpebholo framed the upcoming bye-election as a test run for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign in 2027.
He expressed confidence that the state would deliver 2.5 million votes for the president.
“This is a test for 2027. I can tell you that 2027 is sure. Before 2027, there will be no opposition in Edo State anymore as all will join the APC because of the developmental achievements in the State,” he stated.
The governor also predicted a clean sweep in the bye-election. “We will win five local governments out of five. We must win the entire 51 wards in the five local governments that make up the Senatorial District.”
He further advised opposition candidates “not to waste their money but to join our party. If they give you money, take it and vote for the APC. The money is our money.”
Deputy Governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, urged the Esan people to back the governor, citing his close relationship with President Tinubu as the reason for the state’s progress.
He said the election was the first opportunity to show appreciation to the President, calling for a “90 percent victory.”
The APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, presented the party’s flag to the senatorial candidate, Hon. Joseph Ikpea, and symbolically handed brooms to the new decampees.
The Director-General of the bye-election campaign, Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror, encouraged supporters to conduct a robust door-to-door campaign to ensure the party’s victory.
Ikpea, in turn, thanked the party and promised to continue the developmental efforts initiated by the governor when he was a Senator.
