Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Friday led a powerful coalition of All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in formally endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in 2027.
The high-profile endorsement rally, which held in Edo Central, was attended by key political figures including the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa; former Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole; and the Minister for Regional Development, Hon. Abubakar Momoh.
The event also featured the official reception of several prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) who defected to the APC—an action widely seen as a major boost to the ruling party’s grassroots strength ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Other dignitaries in attendance included the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku; former Deputy Governor, Chief Pius Odubu; Senator Mathew Urhoghide; Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu; APC State Chairman, Emperor Jarret Tenebe; and retired General Cecil Esekhaigbe, leader of the Edo Central senatorial district.
Governor Okpebholo, while addressing the crowd, thanked President Tinubu for his continued support to Edo people, particularly in infrastructural development.
“I want to thank Mr. President for what he’s doing for Edo people. We will let him know that we are for him completely here,” he declared.
“When I went to Abuja to discuss our road challenges, the Minister of Works came down to inspect them. Now, the Agbor road and other projects have been approved, and in a few weeks, you’ll see caterpillars working. The President is not coming here to campaign because we’ve already done the campaign.”
Okpebholo also pledged to remain connected to his roots even after his tenure, saying his service to the people remains his foremost priority.
Senator Oshiomhole commended both Tinubu and Okpebholo for their leadership, noting that the state was witnessing prudent governance under the governor.
“One of the things the governor always reminds us is that he is not borrowing to execute projects,” Oshiomhole said.
“If the President had not created a transparent financial environment, many of his ideas could have died in his head. When you have a good driver, you retain him. Constant change can make the vehicle collapse.”
In his remarks, Minister Abubakar Momoh lauded Tinubu’s administration for introducing what he described as “the most far-reaching reforms in Nigeria’s history.”
“No administration since independence has embarked on impactful reforms like President Tinubu’s. These reforms will put Nigeria on the path of sustainable growth and development,” he added.
The formal motion to adopt President Tinubu as the APC’s preferred candidate for 2027 was moved by retired General Cecil Esekhaigbe, seconded by Hon. Joe Ikpea, Senator representing Edo Central, and unanimously adopted by Senator Oshiomhole and other party leaders.
To strengthen grassroots mobilization, four campaign buses were also donated to coordinators from Edo North, Edo Central, and Edo South through the Office of the Special Adviser on Youths.
New entrants from the PDP and LP, led by Hon. Emmanuel Okoduwa, Hon. Patrick Iluobe, Mr. Ehime Edangbe, and Hon. Anthony Iselobho, were formally received into the APC fold. The defectors pledged loyalty to the party and vowed to work tirelessly for Tinubu’s re-election.
With the endorsement, Governor Okpebholo has positioned Edo APC as a united bloc solidly behind President Tinubu, signaling renewed confidence, cohesion, and momentum within the party ahead of the 2027 polls.
