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According to a report by The Sun on Thursday, April 30, 2026, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has stated that the outcome of the 2023 presidential election in Edo State was largely influenced by public dissatisfaction with the administration of former governor Godwin Obaseki rather than long-term political support for former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.
The governor made the remarks during an interview on a television political programme where he discussed political developments in the state, national politics, and preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to Okpebholo, the voting pattern witnessed during the last presidential election reflected frustration among voters over the performance of the previous state administration.
During the interview, the governor argued that many residents of Edo State were unhappy with the direction of governance under Obaseki, and this dissatisfaction played a major role in shaping the electoral outcome in the state.
He explained that the people used the 2023 election as an opportunity to express their disappointment with the existing political situation at the time.
According to him, the support received by Peter Obi in Edo should not be interpreted as a permanent political alignment but rather as a temporary reaction to local political circumstances and public sentiment against the former administration.
Okpebholo maintained that political outcomes are often influenced by prevailing conditions within states and communities, including public perception of governance and leadership performance.
He stated that the circumstances surrounding the 2023 election were unique because many voters were seeking alternatives due to concerns about governance and development under the previous administration.
According to him, the electoral success of opposition candidates in certain areas was connected more to dissatisfaction with local leadership than to deep-rooted political loyalty.
He argued that political dynamics can change significantly depending on the performance of current leaders and the expectations of the electorate.
The governor also expressed confidence that the political situation in Edo State would be different by the time Nigerians return to the polls in 2027.
He stated that the current administration in the state is focused on delivering projects and policies aimed at improving the lives of residents.
According to him, governance performance will shape voter decisions in the next election cycle, and he believes the efforts of his administration, alongside federal support from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government, will influence public opinion positively.
He suggested that the relationship between the state government and the federal administration is already producing benefits for Edo State in terms of resources and development initiatives.
Okpebholo further explained that the federal government has been providing support and financial allocations that are assisting the Edo State government in implementing projects and programmes.
According to him, this cooperation between the federal and state governments is helping to improve infrastructure and service delivery within the state.
He stated that the availability of resources from the federal level has enabled the state government to carry out projects aimed at meeting the needs of residents and strengthening development efforts across different sectors.
The governor also defended President Tinubu’s leadership and expressed optimism about the President’s chances in the 2027 election.
He argued that many Nigerians are beginning to recognise the impact of policies introduced by the current administration, particularly difficult economic reforms that previous governments were reluctant to implement.
According to him, some of the decisions taken by the federal government may appear challenging in the short term but are intended to address long-standing economic problems facing the country.
He maintained that continued implementation of these reforms could improve public confidence in the administration over time.
The issue of Edo State’s voting pattern during the 2023 presidential election remains an important topic in political discussions because the state was among those where Peter Obi secured significant support.
Political observers have often linked Obi’s performance in several southern states to a combination of youth mobilisation, dissatisfaction with established political parties, and economic concerns among voters.
However, leaders within the ruling All Progressives Congress have continued to argue that future elections may produce different results depending on governance performance and political realignments before 2027.
Political analysts note that discussions about the 2027 elections have already begun to shape public debate despite the elections still being some time away.
Governors, party leaders, and political stakeholders across different parties have increasingly commented on electoral prospects, party strength, and governance records as part of early positioning for future contests.
In Edo State, attention is expected to remain on how the current administration performs in areas such as infrastructure, economic development, security, and public welfare, as these factors are likely to influence voter perception ahead of the next election cycle.
The governor’s comments also reflect broader national conversations about the relationship between state-level governance and presidential election outcomes.
Political observers often point out that local dissatisfaction with governors or state administrations can significantly influence voting behaviour during national elections.
In many cases, voters use presidential elections not only to evaluate federal leadership but also to express approval or disapproval of local political conditions within their states.
He said, “The people of Edo State will vote for Bola Tinubu in 2027 because of the work we are doing and because of the money Tinubu is releasing to us to work for him.”
