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Fresh questions are trailing Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo’s ambitious promise to deliver 2.5 million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, especially after the APC presidential primary in the state produced just 131,096 votes for the president.

Governor Okpebholo, who doubled as the state returning officer, announced the primary results on Saturday, May 23, 2026, after collation from all 192 wards. President Tinubu polled 131,096 votes while his only challenger, Stanley Osifo, managed a solitary vote. The governor hailed the exercise as peaceful and a sign of strong support.

Hours later, the same governor doubled down on his earlier pledge, describing the 2.5 million target as “possible,” “achievable,” and “already settled” in Edo State. He claimed people were already “shouting 2.5 million votes on the streets” and pointed to federal projects and mobilisation as the magic formula.

Critics Cry “Daydream

”The huge disconnect between the primary figure and the general election promise has triggered widespread mockery across social media and opposition circles. Many Nigerians are asking how a state that produced roughly 131,000 APC primary votes hopes to deliver nearly 20 times that number in a contested national election.

Political observers and online commentators have labelled the pledge as political fantasy. Some pointed out that even total voter turnout in past Edo governorship elections has rarely approached such heights, let alone votes for a single candidate. Opposition voices, particularly from the PDP, described the claim as “overheating” and detached from reality.

One viral social media post asked: “Governor, is the 2.5 million coming from Edo or from dreamland?”Okpebholo’s defenders insist the primary only reflected accredited APC members, while the general election will attract a broader electorate motivated by infrastructure projects and federal support. The governor has repeatedly maintained that “it is settled” and that development efforts will convert sceptics into voters.

Edo State has historically been a battleground with strong opposition presence. President Tinubu’s performance in the 2023 election in the state was modest, making the sudden jump to 2.5 million votes a tall order even for loyal APC members.

As reactions continue to pour in, the governor’s bold assurance has become fodder for memes and late-night comedy, with many framing it as classic Nigerian political optimism or overpromise.

Whether Governor Okpebholo can bridge the massive gap between 131,096 and 2.5 million remains to be seen. For now, his declaration has left many wondering if it’s a statement of confidence or a political daydream.

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Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has emerged unopposed as governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) following 345,375 affirmation votes from members of the party across all the wards in the state during the party’s direct primary election.

Chairman of the APC Governorship Primary Election Committee and Returning Officer, Engr. Victor Abba, declared the Governor as sole candidate after announcing the result of the affirmative primary at the collation centre in the party secretariat, Asaba, the state capital.

He said: “I, Engineer Sir Victor Abba, Chairman of the Delta Governorship Primary Election Committee and Returning Officer for the Delta State Governorship Primary Election held on the 21st day of May, 2026, hereby certify that the aspirant, Rt Hon (Elder) Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, scored 345,375 votes,” he declared.

Abba said Oborevwori,Gov Oborevwori declared unopposed with 345,375 affirmation votes as 2027 guber candidate having satisfied the party’s constitutional requirements and secured the highest number of valid votes cast, was duly returned elected as APC governorship candidate for Delta State.

He praised party members for their unity, maturity and peaceful conduct during the exercise, saying; “we have seen what has happened in Delta State and we are satisfied. The maturity of politics in this state is second to none.

He also commended Governor Oborevwori for infrastructural development, people-oriented programmes and governance initiatives, saying the administration had strengthened the APC’s acceptance across Delta State.

Speaking after voting in his Ward in Okpe Local Government Area, Oborevwori commended the APC leadership for conducting what he described as a transparent, peaceful and exemplary primary election.

The Governor said the large turnout across the state’s 270 wards demonstrated grassroots participation and reflected the confidence party members had in his leadership.

“I must sincerely appreciate our great party, the APC, for the transparent and exemplary model adopted for this primary election. It is a model worthy of emulation by other political parties,” he said.

Oborevwori said the peaceful conduct of the exercise marked a departure from previous political traditions, stressing that adherence to due process eliminated tensions often associated with party contests.

“For the first time in Delta State, our primaries were conducted peacefully without violence, crisis or loss of lives. Nobody imposed candidates on the people. The people freely chose those they wanted,” he stated.

Former Governor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa said the turnout reflected support for Governor Oborevwori’s administration, while Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, said the Governor’s emergence reflected confidence in his leadership.

Other party leaders, including Dr Hilary Ibegbulem, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, Hon. Jonathan Ukodhiko, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, Hon. Francis Waive and Chief Solomon Areyenka, also commended the peaceful conduct of the exercise and expressed confidence in the party’s prospects ahead of the 2027 elections.

The declaration of Oborevwori as APC governorship candidate was witnessed by the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, and other party leaders.

The outcome further consolidates Oborevwori’s hold on the APC structure in Delta State ahead of the 2027 general elections, with party leaders expressing confidence that his performance and growing support base would strengthen the party’s chances at the polls.

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A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Alabo George-Kelly, has withdrawn from the party’s forthcoming governorship primaries, pledging support for whoever emerges as the party’s candidate.

His withdrawal comes hours after Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, also announced his decision to step down from the APC governorship primary race in what observers see as part of ongoing political realignments within the party ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, George-Kelly said his decision followed a crucial stakeholders’ meeting convened by the national leadership of the APC, where deliberations focused on the future of the party in Rivers State and the need for unity and strategic alignment.

The aspirant, who described himself as a committed member of the Rivers State Rainbow Coalition for President Bola Tinubu under the leadership of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, said extensive consultations with members of his political team and other stakeholders informed his decision.

“Following that meeting, and after wide consultations with members of my political team and other critical stakeholders, I have taken the decision, in the overriding interest of party unity and in deference to the supremacy of the party, to withdraw from the forthcoming primaries,” he stated.

“Accordingly, I hereby formally announce my withdrawal from the race and pledge my unwavering support, loyalty, and cooperation to whoever emerges as the party’s candidate at the conclusion of the primaries,” he added.

The withdrawal further signals intensifying political consultations and strategic recalibrations within the Rivers APC as the party prepares for the 2027 elections.

George-Kelly said his political journey has always been guided by leadership, loyalty, and respect for constituted authority, stressing his continued commitment to the APC and President Bola Tinubu’s political project in the state.

“The 2027 General Elections present us with a defining opportunity, and I remain fully committed to playing my part in securing victory for our President, our party, and the good people of Rivers State,” the statement said.

He also urged his supporters and members of the coalition to remain united and continue working together for the progress of Rivers State and the APC.