The caretaker committee of the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lambasted Governor Monday Okpebholo’s declaration to deliver 2.5 million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the upcoming 2027 presidential election, calling it both absurd and comical.
In a statement released on Monday by the committee’s Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, the PDP expressed disbelief at the governor’s claim, labeling it an insult to the intelligence of Edo residents. The statement emphasized that Okpebholo, who struggled to gather 300,000 votes during his own governorship campaign—an election marred by alleged military intimidation and support from top APC officials—has no credibility to make such a promise.
The PDP recalled the controversial electoral process of September 2024, which they described as an “electoral heist” involving collusion with election officials and federal security forces. They pointed out that despite the alleged rigging and manipulation, Okpebholo could only secure 291,000 votes.
The party further criticized the governor’s unrealistic claim, questioning how he expects to mobilize 2.5 million votes—almost the total number of registered voters in all 18 local government areas of Edo State. They characterized his statement as desperate and sycophantic, aimed at currying favor with political elites in Abuja while neglecting pressing issues facing the state.
The PDP highlighted the urgent challenges in Edo, including rising insecurity, economic hardship, and deteriorating infrastructure, noting that Okpebholo’s focus seems to be on political theatrics rather than effective governance. They urged him to abandon his obsession with political posturing and prioritize delivering tangible results for the people of Edo State.
The PDP expressed confidence that seasoned political operators like Tinubu would not be swayed by what they described as exaggerated claims. They called for a return to substantive governance rather than empty promises.
