BENIN CITY, Nigeria – Edo State Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo has officially launched the state-level campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid, well in advance of the 2027 general elections. The announcement was made during the reception of Hon. Kaycee Osamwonyi, a member of the Edo State House of Assembly, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Osamwonyi was formally welcomed into the APC by state party chairman Jarrett Tenebe before being presented to Governor Okpebholo at the Government House in Benin City.
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Governor Okpebholo praised the lawmaker and his fellow defectors, stating that their decision would strengthen the APC’s influence within the state. He assured the new members of an inclusive and development-driven administration that prioritizes the welfare of Edo people.
“This is a homecoming for you, and it strengthens our resolve to drive development in Edo,” Okpebholo stated.
The Governor emphasized that his administration’s infrastructural and economic initiatives are already transforming the state, and that the APC is prepared to lead the charge in mobilizing Edo youth for the 2027 elections.
Tenebe highlighted that the APC now holds a majority in the Edo Assembly, attributing the party’s growing appeal to Governor Okpebholo’s leadership.
Osamwonyi cited the deepening crisis within the PDP and the Governor’s developmental achievements as reasons for his move, describing it as a return to familiar grounds.
The early launch of the re-election campaign raises questions about the focus of governance in Edo State and the potential for political tensions to rise ahead of the 2027 elections. The move is likely to be scrutinized by opposition parties and civil society groups, who may raise concerns about the use of state resources for political purposes.
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