Former Governor of Edo State and National Legal Adviser of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Professor Oserhimen Osunbor, on Sunday dismissed the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s boast of controlling 31 governors, describing it as politically inconsequential to the outcome of the 2027 presidential elections, even as he branded Governor Monday Okpebholo’s pledge to deliver 3.5 million votes to President Bola Tinubu in 2027 as a “hoax”.

Speaking at the Edo Central senatorial ADC meeting held in Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government Area, Osunbor said the growing support base of the party, bolstered by fresh defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was a clear indication that Nigerians were gravitating towards an alternative platform ahead of the next general election.

Reacting to the APC’s claim of numerical strength through its governors, Osunbor argued that such political alignments were driven by self-preservation rather than public interest.

He said: “These governors know what they are looking for. They are not experiencing the suffering of the Nigerian people. They are probably joining because they want their privileges to continue.”

He further contended that many of the governors defecting or aligning with the APC might be acting under false assurances, warning that the provisions of the Electoral Act could ultimately work against their ambitions.

According to him, “Don’t be surprised that some of those now celebrating in APC may not even make the final list of candidates submitted to INEC. At that point, it will be too late for them to seek another platform.”

On the claim by Governor Okpebholo that he would deliver 3.5 million votes from Edo State to Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, Osunbor described the projection as unrealistic and misleading.

“Unless they are relying on rigging, everybody knows they cannot get 3.5 million votes. What is the total number of registered voters in Edo State?” he queried, insisting that such figures were not grounded in electoral realities.

He added that the statement should not be taken seriously, alleging that those making such promises lacked a track record of electoral credibility.

“It is a hoax. Those making such claims have not demonstrated electoral integrity in the past, and our people must not fall for it,” Osunbor said.

In his remarks, a chieftain of the party and former governorship aspirant, Mr Ken Imansuagbon, said the political tide was turning against both the APC-led Federal Government and the Edo State administration, stressing that Nigerians were determined to reclaim their mandate in 2027.

“It is evident that Edo people and Nigerians are ready to deny President Tinubu and Governor Okpebholo a second tenure. The will of the people, not intimidation, will prevail,” he declared.

Imansuagbon described the wave of defections into the ADC as a “tsunami”, signalling widespread dissatisfaction with the ruling party.

He maintained that despite the APC’s control of several states, electoral victory ultimately rests with the people.

“Thirty-one governors have 31 votes; the people are not with them. In 2023, it was the turn of one man, but in 2027, it will be the turn of the Nigerian people,” he added. (THISDAY)

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