BENIN CITY – The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly criticised Governor Monday Okpebholo over his recent promise to deliver 2.5 million votes from the state to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Describing the comment as “laughable” and “unrealistic,” the PDP in a statement on Monday said the governor’s claim insulted the intelligence of Edo people. The statement, signed by Chris Nehikhare, Publicity Secretary of the PDP Caretaker Committee in Edo, was made available to journalists in Benin.
“How many votes did Okpebholo and the APC muster in the Edo governorship election? Just 291,000 votes,” the party said. “Now, with a straight face, he wants Nigerians to believe he can mobilise 2.5 million votes for President Tinubu in 2027. This is just about the entire number of registered voters across all 18 local government areas in the state.”
The PDP accused the governor of making the statement to curry favour with political elites in Abuja, calling the remark a form of “desperation and sycophancy.”
“It is deeply troubling that while Edo people are grappling with growing insecurity, hunger, economic hardship, and failing infrastructure, Okpebholo’s top priority appears to be empty posturing and hollow political promises,” the statement added.
The party further argued that instead of indulging in “political showmanship,” the governor should focus on addressing pressing issues facing the state.
“We are confident that President Tinubu, a seasoned political operator, will not be swayed by the noise and exaggerated claims of political opportunists,” the PDP noted, urging Okpebholo to “abandon the obsession with applause from Abuja” and deliver real governance to Edo people.
