2027: Okpebholo leads Edo APC in massive endorsement rally for Tinubu

By Ayox Ojo

Governor Monday Okpebholo and other chieftains All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday formally endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in 2027 amidst encomiums for the Nigerian leader.

Okpebholo, his Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, Senator Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole and the Minister for Regional Development, Hon. Abubakar Momoh and other prominent APC chieftains took turns to pour encomiums on Tinubu at the event.

The event also featured the official reception of prominent decampees from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) into the APC, signaling a renewed sense of unity and momentum within the ruling party ahead of the next general elections.

The endorsement, which took place in Edo Central, was also attended by 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 Isegaigbe, Edo Central senatorial leader.

Okpebholo, while addressing party faithful, expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu for his continued support to Edo people, particularly in infrastructure development.

The Edo Governor said: “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.”

“When I went to Abuja to discuss the road infrastructural challenge. The Minister of Works came down to inspect it. Now, the Agbor road among other project have been approved, and in a few weeks, you’ll see caterpillars working on this Agbor road. The President is not coming here to campaign because we have already done the campaign.”

The Governor also promised to remain connected to his roots even after his tenure, emphasizing that service to the people remains his top priority.

Senator Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, former governor of Edo State, praised both President Tinubu and Governor Okpebholo for fostering stability and development.

Oshiomhole said: “One of the things the governor always reminds us is that he is not borrowing to execute projects.”

“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, the Minister for Regional Development, Hon. Abubakar Momoh, described President Tinubu’s administration as one that has introduced 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 said.

Retired General Cecil Isegaigbe moved the motion for the formal adoption of President Tinubu as APC’s preferred candidate for 2027, seconded by Hon. Joe Ikpea, Senator representing Edo Central, and unanimously adopted by Senator Oshiomhole and other leaders.

To strengthen mobilization efforts, four campaign buses were donated through the Office of the Special Adviser on Youths to coordinators from Edo North, Edo Central, and Edo South.

New entrants from the PDP and LP led by Hon. Emmanuel Okoduwa, Hon. Patrick Iluobe, Mr. Ehime Edangbe, and Hon. Anthony Iselobho were formally welcomed into the APC fold.

The new members pledged loyalty to the party and vowed to work tirelessly for President Tinubu’s re-election.

With Friday’s endorsement, Governor Okpebholo has positioned Edo APC as a united front firmly behind President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, signaling strong intra-party cohesion and renewed political energy across the state.