The Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caretaker committee has vehemently criticized Governor Monday Okpebholo’s pledge to deliver 2.5 million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, labeling it as preposterous and a blatant insult to the intelligence of Edo citizens. The PDP’s condemnation, articulated through a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, underscores the deep political chasm between the two parties and highlights the contentious nature of Okpebholo’s governorship victory in the September 2024 election. The PDP’s statement paints a picture of a governor more concerned with appeasing his political benefactors in Abuja than addressing the pressing needs of his constituents.
The PDP’s core argument revolves around the perceived implausibility of Okpebholo’s promise. They highlight the stark contrast between his purported ability to mobilize 2.5 million votes for Tinubu in 2027 and his own electoral performance in the 2024 governorship election. The party asserts that Okpebholo only managed to secure approximately 300,000 votes in that election, a figure significantly lower than his projected target for Tinubu. They further contend that his victory was achieved through electoral manipulation, military intimidation, and the backing of influential figures within the All Progressives Congress (APC), including governors, the Senate President, and members of the National Executive Council. This casts a long shadow over Okpebholo’s credibility, according to the PDP, and renders his ambitious promise for the 2027 election utterly unrealistic.
The PDP statement further delves into the controversial circumstances surrounding the September 2024 governorship election. They characterize it as an “electoral heist” marked by collusion between the electoral commission and federal security forces, where fabricated figures were presented to fraudulently install Okpebholo in office. This disputed election, the PDP argues, is currently under legal challenge in the courts, further undermining Okpebholo’s claim to have widespread popular support. The PDP’s insistence on highlighting these alleged irregularities reinforces their assertion that Okpebholo’s promise is mere political posturing aimed at securing favor with the ruling party in Abuja.
Furthermore, the PDP contrasts Okpebholo’s focus on delivering votes for Tinubu with the dire situation facing the people of Edo State. They depict a state grappling with escalating insecurity, widespread hunger, economic hardship, crumbling infrastructure, and overall poor governance. By highlighting these challenges, the PDP aims to portray Okpebholo as a leader detached from the realities of his constituents, prioritizing political grandstanding over addressing the pressing needs of the people he governs. The party’s statement implies that Okpebholo’s pursuit of political accolades in Abuja is a diversionary tactic to deflect attention from his alleged failures in governance.
The PDP further asserts that Okpebholo’s 2.5 million vote target is not only unrealistic but also deeply cynical. They point out that this figure is close to the total number of registered voters in Edo State, implying that Okpebholo is proposing to deliver a near-impossible 100% voter turnout for Tinubu. This, according to the PDP, smacks of desperation and sycophancy, a desperate attempt to legitimize his controversially acquired governorship by presenting himself as a political heavyweight capable of delivering an improbable number of votes. The party suggests that this is a calculated move to appease his political patrons within the APC and solidify his position.
Finally, the PDP expresses its belief that President Tinubu, a seasoned politician, will not be deceived by Okpebholo’s exaggerated claims. They urge the governor to abandon his “obsession with political showmanship” and concentrate on addressing the real issues facing Edo State. This call for Okpebholo to prioritize governance over political maneuvering underscores the PDP’s central argument: that the governor is preoccupied with self-serving political theatrics at the expense of the well-being of his constituents. The PDP’s statement thus serves as a scathing critique of both Okpebholo’s leadership and the circumstances surrounding his election, casting doubts on his legitimacy and his ability to effectively govern.
