Governor Monday Okpebholo has vowed to resign from office if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu fails to secure victory in Edo State during the 2027 presidential election.
The governor made the declaration during a sit-down with veteran journalist Babajide Otitoju, insisting that the political climate in Edo has swung decisively in Tinubu’s favour.
According to Governor Okpebholo, “Asiwaju (Tinubu) is even more popular than me here now because Edo people already know that what I’m doing is because of Asiwaju’s impact. I’m telling you. You will see the kind of result that will come out from here because there’s no opposition here in Edo.”
“Everybody is for Asiwaju here,” he said.
When Otitoju suggested that supporters of former Governor Godwin Obaseki might stand against the APC in 2027, Governor Monday dismissed the idea with open contempt.
He said, “Who? Obaseki. I’m telling you anytime he comes to Edo, wherever he is, you’ll be hearing me now. Let him come. If he comes, I bet with you.”
“Can you bet?” he asked, extending his pinky finger to the interviewer.
Otitoju reminded him that the PDP and Obaseki often return to the state with renewed strength close to election cycles, but Governor Monday doubled down.
The governor said Obaseki’s record as governor would not allow him to return to Edo State.
“You cannot scam Edo and come back here,” he said.
“He cannot come. I’m telling you. Because of his poor record. His poor record will not make him to come. When children can stand to pray for me, no child on the street will pray for Obaseki. No mother on the street will pray for Obaseki.”
Responding to questions about the Labour Party’s strong showing in previous elections, the governor dismissed the party as irrelevant in the state’s current political climate.
“When? Labour Party. In the election that took place, that by-election that took place in Edo Central and Ovia, did you see them? We have never produced the kind of result we produced in Esan. Some people, Edo people, have never even told Asiwaju thank you,” he said.
“How are they going to tell him thank you? It’s the vote. You see that flyover? It’s very dear to Edo people. You see the one in Adesuwa? It’s very dear to Edo people.”
He credited President Tinubu for infrastructural projects he described as deeply cherished by Edo residents.
“You see that road we are doing? Sapele Road? It’s very dear to Edo people. So these are the things that will speak for Asiwaju. And he will win here. Perfectly.”
The governor reiterated his boldest statement yet, even after Otitoju cautioned him to avoid making such a promise.
“If Asiwaju does not win here, I will resign as governor. I am telling you. I am the one telling you. There is no election here for him. My brother, forget it,” he said.
Defending his brand of politics, Governor Okpebholo described himself as a student of the late Chief Tony Anenih.
“I understood Chief Anenih. My style is not thuggery. It is grassroots. You don’t see me with elites; you see me with ordinary people on the streets,” he said.
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