Massive Turnout for APC Presidential Primary Shows Growing Grassroots Support — Okpebholo

Monday Okpebholo has declared that Bola Ahmed Tinubu is on course to secure massive support from Edo State ahead of the 2027 presidential election, following what he described as the impressive turnout recorded during the APC presidential primary in Ward 2, Udomi, Esan Central Local Government Area.

The governor made the statement on Saturday after participating in the primary election held at Udomi Primary School, his home ward, where party members voted using the Option A4 system approved by the APC National Working Committee (NWC).

According to Okpebholo, the peaceful conduct of the exercise and the large number of party faithful who turned out to vote reflected the growing acceptance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Tinubu across Edo State.

“Today’s primary was peaceful, and you could see the happiness on the faces of our people as they came out in large numbers to vote for Mr. President,” the governor said.

“They voted overwhelmingly for him, and this is exactly what is happening across Edo State. It is a clear pointer to what the 2027 general election will look like in the state.”

Okpebholo expressed confidence that Edo State would deliver 2.5 million votes for President Tinubu in the next general election, insisting that the APC remains strong and well rooted across the state.

“We are ready for the 2027 general election, and we are ready to deliver Edo State to President Tinubu,” he stated. “Two point five million votes are possible. Some people may doubt it, but it is achievable and already settled in Edo State.”

The governor noted that ongoing projects in infrastructure, healthcare, education and rural development under both the state and federal administrations were helping to strengthen grassroots support for the APC.

“The people understand the connection between what we are doing in Edo State and the national agenda,” he said. “When they see roads being constructed, schools being improved and communities receiving development projects, they see a government that is working for them.”

Meanwhile, the Returning Officer for the presidential primary in Ward 2, Esan Central Local Government Area, Hon. Ehimegbe Favour, confirmed that the exercise was conducted in line with APC guidelines and regulations.

According to him, party members were accredited with their APC membership cards before voting under the Option A4 system.

He disclosed that President Tinubu secured 360 votes to emerge winner of the presidential primary in the ward.

Favour added that the Option A4 voting system ensured transparency and credibility, as voting and counting were conducted openly in the presence of party members and observers.