Governor Okpebholo made these remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics. Today’s programme on Thursday, where he argued that the political circumstances that influenced the outcome of the 2023 elections would not be the same in the coming election cycle........…
He maintained that the current political environment has shifted significantly and would not favour the same outcomes witnessed previously.
He said the ruling government in Edo State ....enjoys strong support from the people, stressing that governance performance and public satisfaction would play a major role in determining voter decisions in 2027.
He emphasised his confidence in his political standing and dismissed any sense of threat from opposition figures.
He said, “What should I be afraid of them when I’m doing what the people want?.
The governor further questioned Peter Obi’s political strength, .... especially in his home state, suggesting that the former presidential candidate may struggle to deliver electoral victory even within his own political base.
He argued that the dynamics that shaped the 2023 general elections had changed and would not repeat themselves in the next cycle, citing what he described as improved governance and stronger political alignment in Edo State.
Okpebholo also addressed public reactions to his earlier comments about Peter Obi’s visit to Edo State, which had generated debate following reports that the visit did not go smoothly.
He clarified that his statements were not intended to threaten or intimidate the former presidential candidate but were made in the interest of security and proper coordination.
According to him, he had advised Obi to notify the state government before any visit so that adequate security arrangements could be made.
He explained that this was necessary due to what he described as a tense or sensitive environment, adding that his intention was to ensure the safety of the visiting politician.
He further stressed that Peter Obi, being a high-profile political figure, requires adequate protection whenever he travels and that informing the state authorities in advance would allow proper collaboration with security agencies to avoid any risks.
On broader national politics, Governor Okpebholo expressed strong support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing him as the most popular political figure in Nigeria at the moment.
He also attributed the recent wave of defections of governors and other political actors to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to what he described as the positive performance of the Tinubu-led administration.…READ / MORE…
