Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, on Friday led a coalition of top All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in formally endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office.
The event, held in Edo Central, marked a significant political moment for the ruling party in the state as it drew together influential figures and signaled renewed unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, the endorsement brought together key APC leaders, including Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, Senator Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, and the Minister for Regional Development, Hon. Abubakar Momoh, among others. The occasion also served as an official reception for prominent defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), who were warmly welcomed into the APC fold.
Governor Okpebholo, addressing the enthusiastic crowd, expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu for his administration’s continued support of development initiatives in Edo State, particularly in infrastructure. He highlighted the federal government’s approval of the Agbor road project following his discussions in Abuja.
“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,” Okpebholo stated. “When I went to Abuja to discuss the road infrastructure challenge, the Minister of Works came down to inspect it. Now, the Agbor road, among other projects, has 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.”
He assured the people that his administration remains people-focused and pledged to stay connected to his roots even after leaving office.
Former Edo governor and current senator, Adams Oshiomhole, commended both Tinubu and Okpebholo for their leadership and commitment to progress. “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 for Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, described President Tinubu’s tenure as the most reform-driven in Nigeria’s post-independence 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 stated.
The formal motion to adopt President Tinubu as the APC’s preferred 2027 presidential candidate was moved by Retired General Cecil Isegaigbe and seconded by Hon. Joe Ikpea, Senator representing Edo Central. The motion received unanimous approval from Senator Oshiomhole and other party leaders present.
To boost mobilisation efforts across the state, 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 — including Hon. Emmanuel Okoduwa, Hon. Patrick Iluobe, Ehime Edangbe, and Hon. Anthony Iselobho — pledged their loyalty to the APC and vowed to work diligently for Tinubu’s re-election.
With this development, Governor Okpebholo has positioned the Edo APC as a united and formidable force rallying behind President Tinubu’s 2027 bid, signaling strong intra-party cohesion and renewed political momentum across the state.
What you should know
Governor Monday Okpebholo’s endorsement of President Tinubu reflects the growing consolidation of APC structures in Edo State ahead of the 2027 elections.
The show of unity, reinforced by the defection of top opposition members, underscores Tinubu’s continued influence within the party and the increasing confidence in his leadership at both state and national levels.
