Okpebholo Charges Newly Sworn-in LG Chairmen to Focus on Securing 2.5m Votes for Tinubu

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has charged the newly sworn-in local government chairmen to work towards securing 2.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

Okpebholo gave the directive on Friday, September 4, 2026, during the swearing-in of the 18 newly elected local government chairmen and their deputies at the Festival Hall, Government House, Benin City.

The governor told the council bosses to strengthen political structures at the grassroots and mobilise support for Tinubu and his Renewed Hope Agenda.

He said achieving the 2.5 million-vote target would require hard work, unity and sustained engagement with residents across the state.

The governor’s charge places the newly inaugurated council chairmen at the centre of the administration’s grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general election.

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Okpebholo Links Vote Target to Grassroots Mobilization

Okpebholo said the local government system provides the closest link between government and the people, making the council chairmen important players in both governance and grassroots mobilization.

He urged them to build stronger political structures in their respective local government areas while maintaining contact with the people.

The governor said the chairmen must complement the development efforts of the state government and ensure that residents see the impact of government in their communities.

He also reminded them that political support would be sustained through good governance and visible development.

“The best way to earn their continued support is through good governance and visible development,” Okpebholo said.

Governor Warns Chairmen Against Corruption

While giving them the political assignment, Okpebholo also warned the new council bosses against corruption.

He described public office as a sacred trust and urged them to justify the confidence placed in them by the electorate.

According to him, their record in office would ultimately be measured by the problems they solve and the lives they affect.

The governor also urged the chairmen to prioritize grassroots development and work with the state government to ensure that development reaches communities across Edo.

The 18 chairmen were sworn in after the recently concluded local government elections in the state, with the APC winning all 18 chairmanship positions.

New Chairmen Pledge Support for Okpebholo

Speaking on behalf of the newly sworn-in chairmen, the Chairman of Oredo Local Government Area, Gabriel Iduseri, thanked Okpebholo for the confidence placed in them.

Iduseri said the chairmen understood the responsibility that came with their new positions and pledged to provide purposeful, transparent and people-oriented leadership.

He also said they were ready to support the governor’s SHINE Agenda and Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda while working to improve their respective local government areas.

With the new council administrations now in place, Okpebholo is expecting the chairmen to combine their responsibilities as local government leaders with the broader political task of mobilizing support for Tinubu and working towards Edo’s stated 2.5 million-vote target in 2027.