Okpebholo Declares End of Opposition in Edo as APC Launches Mega Campaign

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has projected a complete collapse of opposition parties in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections, citing ongoing political realignments and the influx of decampees into the All Progressives Congress.

According to iReporter Online, the governor made the statement during the official flag-off of the APC’s campaign for the upcoming senatorial by-election in Edo Central, scheduled for August 16. The event, which took place in Uromi, witnessed a significant turnout of supporters, including several former members of the opposition.

Addressing the gathering, Okpebholo said the APC’s growing strength and visible development achievements would leave no room for opposition by 2027. He urged candidates from other political parties to join the ruling APC, declaring that remaining outside the party would be a wasted effort.

The governor was joined by the APC State Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, who helped welcome new members into the party. Notable figures who defected from the opposition People’s Democratic Party included Alhaji Esiwele Musa, Abraham Osazuwa, Sunny Ejie, and Robert Okoneme, along with others representing the 51 wards in the senatorial district.

Okpebholo stated that the party was fully prepared to secure a sweeping victory in the by-election, vowing to win all five local government areas and every ward in the district. He reaffirmed his support for the party’s senatorial candidate, Hon. Joseph Ikpea, describing him as his rightful successor in the upper legislative chamber.

He went on to encourage voters to collect funds from other parties if offered but to cast their votes in favor of the APC, saying, “The money belongs to the people.” He reiterated his earlier promise to deliver 2.5 million votes to President Bola Tinubu, framing the senatorial race as the first major test of that commitment.

Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa also addressed the crowd, calling on the Esan people to rally behind Governor Okpebholo, whom he credited for bringing unprecedented development to the region through his close ties with President Tinubu. He emphasized that anything short of a 90% victory would be unacceptable.

The APC State Chairman, Tenebe, officially presented the party’s flag to Ikpea and encouraged him to continue the developmental agenda set by the governor during his tenure as senator. He also expressed gratitude to the governor for following due protocol in notifying the local government chairman about the event.

Victor Edoror, former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly and Director-General of the APC campaign for the by-election, urged residents to sustain grassroots mobilization through door-to-door engagement. He thanked the people for their massive turnout and charged them to ensure victory for the party at the polls.

In his acceptance speech, Ikpea thanked the party for its confidence in him and pledged to uphold the development-driven legacy established by Governor Okpebholo.

Other party leaders, including retired General Cecil Esekhaigbe, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, and Sylvester Aigboboh, echoed similar sentiments, calling on supporters to come out in large numbers and vote massively for the APC.