Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has announced the commencement of campaigns for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. The disclosure was made in a statement by Chief Press Secretary Fred Itua, following the defection of Uhunmwonde State Constituency lawmaker, Hon. Kaycee Osamwonyi, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Itua reported that Governor Okpebholo received Osamwonyi, a member of the Edo State House of Assembly Committee on Budget and Appropriation, at the Government House in Benin City on Wednesday. The lawmaker was presented to the governor by APC Edo State Chairman Jarrett Tenebe, who described the defection as a testament to the ruling party’s growing influence.

The governor commended Osamwonyi and four other recently defected lawmakers, assuring them of his administration’s commitment to fostering collaboration and development across the state. “Your coming is a plus for the party. A lot of people from other political parties are ready to join us, and soon there will be a carnival,” Okpebholo said. He emphasized ongoing efforts to revitalize Edo’s economy, stating, “We have to mobilize the youths in our state. I promise you will enjoy our party as you have chosen to join us.”

Tenebe asserted that the APC now holds a majority in the Edo State House of Assembly, citing Governor Okpebholo’s “developmental strides” as a key factor in attracting defectors. Osamwonyi, in his remarks, attributed his decision to the PDP’s internal divisions and the governor’s performance. “The several projects captured in the budget for Uhunmwonde people are impressive. I had no choice but to join the party for the development of my people,” he said.

Itua noted that the governor specifically highlighted plans to prioritize infrastructure and youth engagement in Uhunmwonde Local Government, vowing to “open the area for growth.” The statement concluded with Okpebholo reaffirming Edo’s readiness to support President Tinubu’s re-election bid, declaring, “We have kick-started our own campaigns for the president in 2027.”

Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary, reiterated the administration’s focus on bipartisan cooperation, quoting the governor’s pledge to “create a conducive atmosphere for all to operate.” The defection ceremony marked the latest in a series of political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections.