Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has declared over the weekend that his administration’s focus on widespread developmental projects, particularly in neglected rural areas.
He said this will be instrumental in delivering the 2.5 million votes he has pledged to President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
Speaking at a South-South Stakeholders forum of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) in Benin City, Mr Okpebholo emphasised his strategy of extending infrastructure development to communities largely overlooked by the previous government.
He cited ongoing road construction in the eight communities comprising the hometown of former Governor Godwin Obaseki, a move he highlighted as a direct contrast to the previous administration’s performance.
“We have a President with capacity who is making money available for us to work,” Mr Okpebholo stated, praising Mr Tinubu for embarking on critical reforms and taking decisive action on complex national issues.
Regarding his ambitious 2.5 million vote target for Mr Tinubu by 2027, Okpebholo dismissed skepticism from the opposition.
:How will it not happen when I am already working on it?” he retorted, pointing to the roads being built in the former PDP governor’s area, which he claimed saw no development for eight years.
He recounted campaigning in those communities, promising to address their neglected infrastructure, a promise he asserted is now being fulfilled.
“We are able to do all these things because of the support we are getting from the President. Such a man, how do we repay him? It is by ensuring that by 2027, we support him,” Mr Okpebholo affirmed, reiterating that Edo State’s 2.5 million votes are guaranteed.
He recalled the challenges faced by Mr Tinubu during his own campaign, noting attempts to impede his chances through various means, including restricting currency circulation and fuel scarcity.
Despite these hurdles, he asserted, Mr Tinubu triumphed and is now ‘releasing everything.’
“Such a man, how will he not have that vote? He must have it. I love my President with all my heart and we will vote for him with all our hearts, wherever he goes we will go,” the governor declared.
The forum was attended by prominent figures including Cross Rivers State Governor Bassey Otu, Minister of Regional Development Abubakar Momoh, NDDC Managing Director Samuel Obuku, former Minister of State for Petroleum Timipriye Silva, Senators Adams Oshiomhole and Neda Imasuen, and various chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the South-South region.
