(APC LOGO. Photo Credit: Nation News)
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State, Jarret Tenebe, has declared that the outcome of the recently concluded Local Government election has shown that the party can deliver 2.5 million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking at a press briefing in Benin City on Monday, Tenebe said the sweeping victory recorded by the APC in Saturday’s council poll had strengthened the party’s confidence in achieving the ambitious target in the next general election.
According to him, the party’s victory in all 18 local government chairmanship positions and all 192 councillorship seats across the state reflected the confidence Edo people have in the party, the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo, and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.
He said the outcome had reinforced the party’s conviction that its commitment to deliver 2.5 million votes to Tinubu in 2027 was not only achievable but firmly within reach, noting that the APC secured a total of 2,158,600 votes in the local government election, describing it as an overwhelming mandate reflecting the confidence Edo residents have in the party, Okpebholo’s leadership and the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He attributed the resounding victory to hard work, purposeful leadership, effective grassroots mobilisation and the unwavering support of Edo residents.
Tenebe recalled that while the APC was in opposition during the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki, it continued to participate in the democratic process despite what he described as intimidation and an uneven political environment.
He said the party had courageously taken part in previous local government elections despite facing intimidation and harassment, winning in several councils against the odds, but lamented that rather than respect the will of the people, the administration at the time hurriedly swore in its preferred candidates, undermining democracy and denying residents the opportunity to be governed by those they had freely elected.
He argued that those who had previously boycotted elections or abandoned the democratic process had little moral standing to question the outcome of a poll they deliberately chose not to participate in.
The APC chairman further maintained that the party’s electoral successes in Edo State were evidence of growing public support, citing the 2024 governorship election that brought Governor Okpebholo to office, and noting that residents had consistently demonstrated their faith in the party despite being in opposition at the time.
He said the governor had since provided purposeful leadership, restored hope, and laid the foundation for a new Edo through visible development, improved governance and renewed public confidence, describing the latest victory as further confirmation of the people’s belief in the leadership and vision of both President Tinubu and Governor Okpebholo.
Tenebe expressed appreciation to Edo residents who participated peacefully in the election, describing their turnout as a demonstration of commitment to democracy, and stressed that the party did not take the mandate for granted, pledging to continue serving the people with humility, transparency and dedication.
He also commended security agencies, the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission, party leaders, candidates, supporters, traditional rulers, community leaders, election officials and members of the media for their contributions to what he described as a peaceful and orderly electoral process.
Extending an olive branch to political opponents, Tenebe urged all stakeholders to place the development of Edo State above partisan interests, telling those who did not emerge victorious that elections come and go, but that the development of the state remains a shared responsibility.