President Bola Tinubu has appealed to the people of Edo State to support his re-election in 2027, promising to complete ongoing federal projects and sustain the achievements of his administration if given another four-year mandate.
The President made the appeal through Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who represented him at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally held at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, on Thursday.
The rally also marked the second anniversary of Governor Monday Okpebholo's administration.
Shettima told the gathering that Tinubu was seeking a fresh mandate to complete the projects and reforms initiated by his government, urging voters to assess the administration based on its impact on Nigerians.
“We have come this far with your trust and we seek your mandate to finish the work we have begun,” he said.
Highlighting the Federal Government's interventions in Edo, the Vice-President listed the ongoing dualisation of the Benin-Ekpoma, Benin-Auchi and Benin-Okene highways, alongside emergency repairs on the Benin-Asaba road.
He also identified the completed Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben gas pipeline as a major investment expected to boost electricity generation, while noting that new transmission lines could contribute an additional 600 megawatts to the national grid.
On healthcare, Shettima cited the radiotherapy centre at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and Federal Government support for 158 public health facilities across Edo State.
He further highlighted progress towards the repatriation of Benin artefacts, disclosing that Cambridge and Sweden had transferred ownership of some cultural treasures to Nigeria.
The Vice-President expressed confidence that the combination of Tinubu's federal interventions and Okpebholo's performance would give the APC victory in the January 16, 2027 election.
Speaking at the rally, Okpebholo declared that Edo State was firmly behind Tinubu's re-election, insisting that the President had demonstrated commitment to the development of the state.
The governor disclosed that approximately 15,000 Edo residents were benefiting from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), while describing the state as an emerging construction hub following the Federal Government's economic reforms.
“Mr President has done so much for Edo people. About 15,000 Edo citizens are benefiting from NELFUND. Edo is now a construction site because of the courage of one man, Mr President, who removed fuel subsidy and reformed our tax system,” he said.
Okpebholo pledged to mobilise 2.5 million votes for Tinubu in the forthcoming presidential election.
Also speaking, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said APC leaders in the South-South had resolved to ensure that the region delivers more votes for Tinubu than any other geopolitical zone.
He pointed to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, increased allocations to states following the administration's fiscal reforms and other infrastructure projects as justification for the region's support.
“We have resolved that no zone will beat us in the election,” Akpabio declared.
The Senate President also mentioned the recruitment of more than 500 forest guards from Edo youths and the establishment of the Nigerian Army's 83 Division in the state as part of the President's contributions.
Meanwhile, Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, attributed improved security in the South-South to increased crude oil production, which he said had risen to about 1.8 million barrels per day from barely one million barrels.
Yari maintained that the protection of lives and communities remained the foremost priority of the APC manifesto, adding that the party was counting on Edo to deliver two million votes.
Former Edo governor and senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, described Okpebholo's administration as a government that had demonstrated commitment to fulfilling its promises.
He listed road construction, flyover projects, support for market women, and the construction and equipping of public schools and healthcare centres among the administration's achievements in the last 24 months.
“In the last 24 months, the governor has been building roads, building flyovers, empowering market women, building and equipping public schools, building and equipping health centres. He has the people with him,” Oshiomhole said.
He urged voters to support APC candidates across all levels, including Tinubu and the party's three senatorial candidates, arguing that the President required a supportive National Assembly to implement his policies.
Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, also called on Edo residents to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the January 16 election.
Uzodimma described the PVC as the most important instrument for securing electoral victory, urging eligible voters to ensure they were ready to participate in the poll.
“If you collect your Permanent Voter Card, you have the weapon. The weapon we need on January 16 is the PVC,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the 2.5 million-vote target announced by Okpebholo was achievable.
