The political atmosphere in Edo State shifted significantly as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recorded a resounding win in the All Progressives Congress presidential primary held across the state. The exercise, which drew participation from party members in all 192 wards, reflected a strong wave of support for the President within the party structure, reinforcing his grip on the APC base in the state.
From the early hours of the day, party faithful gathered at designated voting points, forming long queues and participating in what observers described as an orderly and well coordinated process. The outcome, announced later at the APC Secretariat in Benin City, confirmed what had already become evident across the wards, a near total endorsement of Tinubu’s candidacy.
The final figures underscored the scale of the victory. President Tinubu secured an impressive 131,096 votes, while his only challenger, Mr Stanley Osifo, managed to record just a single vote. The margin left no doubt about the direction of support within the party, as Tinubu swept through all three senatorial districts in the state including Edo South, Edo North, and Edo Central.
Reports from local government collation centers showed that the President maintained dominance in virtually every part of the state. In major local government areas such as Oredo, Ikpoba Okha, Etsako West, and Akoko Edo, the results reflected overwhelming backing, with Osifo unable to secure votes in most locations. The pattern remained consistent across urban and rural communities, pointing to a unified front within the Edo APC.
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The conduct of the primary also attracted attention for its calm and transparent nature. There were no reports of violence or disruption, a development that party officials were quick to highlight as a sign of maturity within the ranks. The process was supervised by key figures in the state, including Governor Monday Okpebholo, who played an active role as the returning officer.
Governor Okpebholo’s participation stood out to many observers. Rather than remaining on the sidelines, he joined other party members at Ward 2 in Udomi village, located in Esan Central local government area. He queued alongside voters and stayed through the process until ballots were counted, a gesture that was widely interpreted as a show of commitment to transparency and internal democracy.
Speaking after the exercise, the governor expressed satisfaction with how the primary was conducted. He noted the peaceful atmosphere and the visible enthusiasm among party members, describing the turnout as a reflection of widespread confidence in the leadership of President Tinubu.
He remarked that the mood across the state was one of excitement and unity, adding that the large number of participants demonstrated a collective belief in the direction of the APC at both state and national levels. According to him, the outcome was not surprising given the level of mobilization and support the President enjoys among party loyalists in Edo.
Beyond the immediate results, attention has already begun to shift toward what the outcome could mean for future elections. Leaders within the Edo APC see the primary as more than just an internal exercise. For them, it serves as an early indicator of the party’s strength heading into the 2027 general elections.
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Governor Okpebholo made a bold projection while addressing party members, stating that Edo State is capable of delivering as many as 2.5 million votes for President Tinubu in the next general election. He acknowledged that such a figure might seem ambitious to some observers, but insisted that it is achievable given the current level of organization and unity within the party.
According to the governor, groundwork has already been laid to expand the party’s reach and consolidate its base across all local government areas. He emphasized that the structures put in place during the primary will be further strengthened in the coming years to ensure even greater participation during the general elections.
Party officials echoed similar sentiments, describing the primary as a clear demonstration of cohesion within the Edo APC. They noted that the near unanimous support for the President sends a strong signal to both allies and political opponents about the state chapter’s alignment with the national leadership.
For many within the party, the significance of the exercise goes beyond the numbers. It represents a moment of consolidation, where internal divisions appear to have been minimized in favor of a shared objective. The absence of major disputes or irregularities during the process has also been cited as evidence of improved internal coordination.
Political observers have pointed out that such a decisive outcome can have both positive and challenging implications. On one hand, it strengthens the party’s position ahead of future contests by presenting a united front. On the other hand, it raises questions about the level of competition within the primary process. However, within the APC in Edo, the focus remains firmly on the message of unity and preparedness.
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As the state chapter looks ahead, efforts are expected to intensify in terms of grassroots engagement, voter mobilization, and strategic planning. The leadership has indicated that the momentum generated from the primary will be sustained through continuous interaction with communities and stakeholders across the state.
The broader implication of the exercise is that Edo State is positioning itself as a key contributor to the APC’s national ambitions. With a strong showing in the primary, party leaders believe they have set a solid foundation for future success, provided that the current level of cohesion is maintained.
For now, the overwhelming victory recorded by President Tinubu stands as a defining moment in the state’s political calendar. It highlights the strength of his support within the APC in Edo and sets the tone for the political conversations that will shape the journey toward the 2027 general elections.
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