Okpebholo Tasks Ex-Chairmanship Aspirants with Mobilising 2.5m Votes for Tinubu

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has urged former local government chairmanship aspirants in the state to remain committed to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and work together to secure a decisive victory for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

The governor gave the charge when he received members of the Forum of All Past Chairmanship Aspirants in Nigeria (FAPCAN), led by its convener and president, Hon. Ikoko Emmanuel, at the Government House, Benin City.

Okpebholo said political setbacks should not discourage party members, stressing that loyalty, unity and sustained commitment would create opportunities for them to contribute to the party’s success and benefit from its achievements.

“I’m happy to see you all. Let me sincerely thank you for keeping faith with our party. One can lose today and win tomorrow. The faith is what matters,” he said.

The governor encouraged the former aspirants to remain steadfast, noting that party members who did not emerge victorious in elections could still contribute meaningfully to the party and be considered for other opportunities.

He added that a major victory for Tinubu in 2027 would strengthen the party’s position and open up further opportunities, including benefits from the Federal Government.

“When we win big, we will have a lot of appointments coming our way. So, if we win the big victory for our president, we will benefit even from the Federal Government,” Okpebholo said.

Earlier, FAPCAN president, Ikoko Emmanuel, said the forum was prepared to collaborate with the Edo State Government and relevant political stakeholders to strengthen grassroots political structures across the state’s 18 local government areas.

He said the forum recognised the importance of grassroots engagement, reconciliation and inclusive leadership, adding that its members were ready to deploy their political experience towards building stronger community-based structures.

Emmanuel said the forum was also prepared to support the publicly stated objective of mobilising 2.5 million votes in Edo State for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 through grassroots mobilisation, stakeholder engagement, political awareness and community outreach.

He appealed to the governor to recognise and support FAPCAN as a platform through which former chairmanship aspirants could contribute to the administration’s grassroots development agenda and broader political mobilisation efforts.

Meanwhile, Okpebholo reaffirmed his administration’s determination to tackle illicit drug use among youths, disclosing that the state government was working with the Edo State House of Assembly towards enacting legislation to address the menace.

The governor made this known while responding to discussions on progress in the fight against illicit drugs in Etsako West Local Government Area.

He said the proposed law would provide the legal framework for appropriate sanctions, drawing a parallel with the state’s efforts to combat cultism.

“As for the illicit drugs being taken by youths, we are already talking to the House of Assembly to make a law. The same way we dealt with the issue of cultism is the same way we are going to deal with drugs,” he said.

According to him, the government intends to ensure that illicit drug use is effectively tackled across the state, adding that the absence of a clear legal framework limits the ability to impose punishment.

“Where there’s no law, there will be no punishment. We will make sure that it doesn’t happen in Edo again. Where there’s no drugs, there will be no crime. We are coming to that,” the governor added.

Those present at the meeting included the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa; Chief of Staff, Hon. Yakubu Musa, JP; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Paul Ohombamu; and APC State Secretary, Lawrence Okah, among others.