Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has pledged to step down from his position if President Bola Tinubu fails to garner 3.5 million votes in Edo during the 2027 presidential election.
During a recent television interview on TVC, the governor confidently asserted that the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) is fully prepared to ensure a resounding victory for President Tinubu in the upcoming election.
Okpebholo stated that the people of Edo are enthusiastic about re-electing President Tinubu as a gesture of gratitude for his leadership. He emphasized his unwavering commitment to delivering the promised vote count, stating, “If you will vote for me, they will first vote for President Tinubu. We promised 3.5 million votes, and we are serious about it. When I advocate for everyone to support Asiwaju Tinubu… there is no difference between me and Asiwaju because anybody who does not support Asiwaju will not support me.”
He further declared, “Asiwaju is our leader. He enjoys widespread popularity. He (Tinubu) is even more well-liked than I am here in Edo now. You will witness the outcome we achieve in Edo because there is no real opposition here. Everyone is behind Asiwaju. The people will show their appreciation through their votes. If he doesn’t win, I will resign. I am a politician. I’ve learned from Chief Anineh, and my political approach focuses on grassroots support, not violence.”
Governor Okpebholo explained that the comprehensive mobilization efforts across all 18 local government areas give the APC firm confidence of a decisive win in the general election.
He also criticized his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, for what he described as “unfavorable achievements” that have distanced him from the public. He challenged Obaseki, saying, “Let him come here. Wherever he is, he will be listening to me now. Let him come. I am not antagonizing him, but his performance will determine whether he should come or not. He can’t come to Edo.”
The Edo governor elaborated, “His poor performance will prevent him from coming. While children are willing to offer prayers for me, no child would stand on the street to pray for Obaseki. No mother on the street will pray for Obaseki.”
