From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has described the large crowd that welcomed him at Ewohimi in Esan South-East Local Government Area as growing support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
He spoke on Wednesday during the party’s grassroots mobilisation tour of Esan South-East and Esan North-East Local Government Areas.
Okpebholo, who thanked supporters for coming out in large numbers, said the turnout convinced him that the party’s target of 2.5 million votes for President Bola in Edo was within reach and urged them to stay committed to the party.
He described President Tinubu as leader and father, adding that the work of his administration depended on continued support from party members in Edo and across the country. He told them the party would return to celebrate after the polls.
The governor also canvassed votes for Tinubu’s re-election, for Hon Odianosen Okojie, the APC candidate for the House of Representatives, and for Joseph Ikpea, the party’s Edo Central senatorial candidate.
In Uromi, Esan North-East, Okpebholo assured residents that his administration would compensate owners of houses marked for demolition along the Uromi Expressway.
“Uromi, all those houses blocking the road construction, we have released money for compensation. The president is working, and we are going to pay him back with 2.5 million votes,” he said.
He said that cult-related killings and kidnapping have ended in the state and that President Tinubu deserved a second term because he is making more funds available to the state government.
Edo Commissioner for Public Safety and Security, Chief Festus Ebea, said the crowd showed the APC was accepted by men, women and youths in Esan South-East.
He expressed confidence that the party’s candidates would record substantial votes, and praised the governor as an effective mobiliser who had kept strengthening the party’s structures.
The State APC Chairman, Mr Jarrett Tenebe, also commended the turnout. He said people entered politics for different reasons, but leaders must put the welfare of their people first and pointed to the ongoing road projects as evidence of the administration’s work and urged residents to back leaders whose programmes benefit them.
Tenebe asked supporters to vote for Tinubu and the party’s candidates, and urged them to stay united. He also asked voters to look carefully at candidates and their backgrounds before choosing, and spoke in support of Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North.
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