Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has dismissed claims that he was handpicked by political godfathers to be remote-controlled as the state’s leader. According to him, while certain individuals supported his governorship ambition, it was ultimately God who orchestrated his rise to power.
“Can you even point out one godfather who was pushing me?” Okpebholo asked when questioned about his political backing during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
“God used people to help and support me in getting to where I am today,” he said.
The governor acknowledged Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s support, describing him as the South-South leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Whatever he did was for the progress of Edo people; he wanted Edo to be repositioned,” Okpebholo stated. “God was at work, and Edo people spoke. We were hungry for change. Even in the next 20 years, I will still win.”
Reflecting on his political journey, Okpebholo highlighted his previous Senate victory against a sitting senator, despite facing significant opposition at the time.
Addressing perceptions of former governor and Edo North Senator Adams Oshiomhole as a political dictator, Okpebholo refuted such claims, emphasizing that Oshiomhole allows him to govern independently.
“Oshiomhole is giving me a free hand,” he said. “Whenever I speak with him, he tells me, ‘My son, just do it your way.’ But I always seek his advice, and most of his advice turns out to be beneficial. You cannot be an island; you have to carry everyone along.”
Okpebholo, the APC candidate, won the September 21, 2024, governorship election, defeating Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP), and other contenders. He was sworn in as governor on November 12, 2024, succeeding Godwin Obaseki of the PDP.
His path to the Dennis Osadebe Government House was not without challenges. Leveraging his influence in Edo Central, Okpebholo allied with Oshiomhole to defeat Ighodalo, who had the backing of then-Governor Obaseki. His victory was also bolstered by his running mate, Dennis Idahosa, and Obaseki’s estranged former deputy, Philip Shaibu.
The APC had previously lost power in Edo State in 2020 after Obaseki defected to the PDP following a fallout with Oshiomhole. Denied the APC ticket, Obaseki secured the PDP nomination and won re-election, defeating APC’s Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
In the 2024 election, Obaseki campaigned vigorously for Ighodalo, while Oshiomhole played a key role in Okpebholo’s campaign, attending rallies and media engagements to drum up support for the APC candidate.
