Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has declared he will resign from office if President Bola Tinubu fails to win the 2027 general election in his state. The governor made the conditional statement during a live television interview on African Independent Television (AIT) on Friday.
Governor Okpebholo linked his tenure directly to the presidential electoral outcome, asserting that residents of Edo State have not yet expressed gratitude to the president for development projects initiated in the region. He stated that the ballot box in 2027 will be the avenue for such appreciation. “The various projects across the state are the things that will speak for Tinubu and he will win here,” Okpebholo said. “Bet me, if he doesn’t win, I will resign as governor.”
The governor emphasized that his political approach differs from perceived violent tactics, describing his methodology as grassroots-oriented. He cited his political tutelage under the late Chief Aneni as foundational to his style, adding, “My style of politics is not thuggery but grassroots.”
Edo State, located in Nigeria’s south-south geopolitical zone, is considered a significant political battleground in national elections. President Tinubu, from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), seeks to consolidate support across key states ahead of the 2027 polls. Governor Okpebholo’s announcement represents a rare and direct personal commitment tied to another politician’s electoral success.
Such a public vow intertwines a state governor’s political future with the national presidential campaign, a move that will be closely monitored by political observers. The statement underscores the high stakes and intricate alliances within Nigeria’s federal political landscape. It also positions the implementation and perception of state-level development projects as a central factor in voter behavior in Edo.
The governor’s promise is contingent on the 2027 election results, setting a clear, personal benchmark. His advocacy for President Tinubu is framed around tangible projects, though specific initiatives were not detailed in the interview. The declaration now places the forthcoming presidential election in Edo State under intense scrutiny, with the governor’s political career explicitly on the line.political analysts will likely examine whether such conditional commitments influence voter sentiment or set new precedents for political accountability in Nigeria’s fourth republic.
