Monday Okpebholo, the governor of Edo State, has claimed to have sparked the effort to re-elect President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
This information was revealed by the governor when he welcomed a new member of the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) who had switched from the opposition PDP to the state’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Uhunmwonde State Constituency is represented by Kaycee Osamwonyi, a member of the House Committee on Budget and Appropriation and a defector.
Jarrett Tenebe, the APC’s Edo Acting Chairman, had previously welcomed the lawmaker into the party and introduced him to the governor at Government House in Benin City.
Osamwonyi and his colleagues who chose to join the APC were applauded by Okpebholo, who also assured them that his administration would establish an environment that would allow them to work together to advance the state. “My administration has made significant progress in all areas of the Edo economy and will improve the lives of the Edo people,” he said.
“We congratulate you for returning home. Your coming is a plus for the party as we have five of you who have joined, and you have made our party stronger.”
“A lot of people from other political parties are ready to join our party, and soon there will be a carnival. I seek your help to drive development, and together, we will develop the State and make life better for our people.”
“Uhunmwonde Local Government is very special to me, and together we can develop the area and open it for growth and development.”
“The next election, especially 2027 presidential election, we are ready in Edo State. We have kick-started our own campaigns for the President in 2027.”
“We have to mobilise the youths in our state, and you are part of the youth. I promise you that you will enjoy our party as you have chosen to join us,” he said.
Tenebe, who introduced the governor to Hon. Osamwonyi, pointed out that the party now controls the majority of the State Assembly’s members, giving it complete authority over the body.
Osamwonyi, for his part, said that the division within his previous party, the PDP, at both the national and unit levels, as well as the accomplishments of Governor Okpebholo in his brief tenure in power, were the reasons behind his choice to join the party.
