Welcomes Rep. Marcus Onobun to APC, Declares PDP Dead in Edo
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has launched a blistering attack on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other promoters of a proposed coalition against President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing them of hypocrisy, corruption, and fuelling insecurity in the country.
Speaking on Friday, 18 July 2025, during the formal defection of House of Representatives member, Marcus Onobun, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Okpebholo ridiculed the anti-Tinubu alliance, calling its promoters “insecurity merchants” with questionable legacies.
“Some of them were Senate Presidents for years and could not build roads to their own villages. Some sold off national assets and created fertile ground for Boko Haram and kidnappers. Now they are shouting change and forming new parties—today SDP, tomorrow ADC, next week ADA,” he said.
In a stinging rebuke of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, Governor Okpebholo warned that any future visit by the former Anambra governor to Edo State must be preceded by proper security clearance.
“That man who says he doesn’t have ‘shishi’ came here and dropped ₦15 million. Where did he get it from?” the governor asked, referencing Obi’s recent donation to the St. Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences during his 7 July visit to Benin City.
“After he left, three people were killed. His visit coincided with a resurgence of violence in the state. We will not tolerate this. Obi must get clearance before coming here again,” Okpebholo declared.
Welcoming Rep. Marcus Onobun, who represents Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency, into the APC, the governor described the defection as a political turning point.
“With Onobun’s defection, we have finally buried the PDP in Edo. I heard someone weeping at Ring Road, claiming they have 65 per cent. That’s social media winning. Real winning is what we’re doing on the ground,” he said.
Okpebholo stated that the APC is firmly in control of Edo State and predicted a clean sweep in the 2027 general elections. He confidently claimed that President Tinubu would secure 2.5 million votes from Edo alone.
Also speaking at the event, Acting Deputy State Chairman of the APC, Sylvester Aigboboh, described Onobun’s arrival as a “major boost” for the party, especially as it intensifies preparations for the August senatorial rerun election in Edo Central.
The fiery speech by Governor Okpebholo has added a new dimension to the political climate in Edo, setting the stage for a potentially intense build-up to future elections, as parties realign and opposition voices intensify their campaigns.
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