The Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and the People?s Democratic Party (PDP), Edo Chapter, have clashed over Okpebholo?s kick-off of President Bola Tinubu?s 2027 re-election campaign.

Okpebholo, on April 9 this year, while receiving in Government House, Benin, another defecting member of the main opposition PDP in the 24-member Edo House of Assembly, Kaycee Osamwonyi, the representative of Uhunmwonde Constituency, into the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), disclosed that he and his allies had kick-started the campaigns for President Tinubu?s re-election in 2027.

Edo PDP, through its Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, the immediate state?s Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, however, described as an insult, and affront to Nigeria?s Constitution, Edo governor kick-starting President Tinubu?s 2027 re-election campaign.

It said: ?We read with concern and disappointment, the reckless statement by Senator Monday Okpebholo, where he declared to have kick-started the campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu?s re-election in 2027, in his continuous scheming to hoodwink the President and the leadership of the APC.

?We want to unequivocally state that his (Edo governor?s) comments and actions are in direct contravention of Section 94 (1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which explicitly states that the period of campaigning in public by every political party shall commence 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours before that day.

?It is troubling and deeply embarrassing that Okpebholo, who should be a custodian of the rule of law, is kicking off campaigns nearly two years ahead of the legally allowed period. This is not only illegal but also sets a dangerous precedent for abuse of power and disrespect for our Constitution and constitutional democracy.

?Even more laughable is Okpebholo?s boastful claim that he would deliver Edo State to President Tinubu in 2027. This is the same man who could not secure a victory for himself during the September 21, 2024 governorship election, who lost convincingly at the poll, and has since then, along with his allies, been fighting tooth and nail, resorting to all sorts of illegalities and machinations to suppress the truth and sustain the electoral heist.?

The main opposition P?P also stated that the Edo governor?s continuous resort to subterfuge was nothing more than a smokescreen to ingratiate himself with the presidency while attempting to distract from his failures in government, his loss of control over the political space, and the growing rejection he had been facing among the residents of the state.

It said: ?We sincerely hope President Tinubu will not fall for these deceitful gimmicks and baseless assurances. If the President hopes to win Edo State in 2027, he cannot rely on Okpebholo and the Edo APC leadership, as they lack the capacity to deliver Edo to him.

?We call on the relevant authorities, especially those tasked with upholding our constitution and the rule of law, to take note of this gross violation and invoke the appropriate sanctions as enshrined in our Constitution.?

Edo PDP also insisted that no individual, no matter how highly placed, should be allowed to trample on the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and go scot-free.

The Chief Press Secretary to Edo governor, Fred Itua, while defending his boss yesterday, described the state PDP?s statement as the last kick of a dying horse.

Itua said: ?A weak statement credited to the factional Edo State Chapter of the PDP, wherein the once-vibrant party attempted, albeit feebly, to misinterpret a patriotic remark made by His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Executive Governor of Edo State, concerning his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, surfaced on Friday.

?Let it be categorically stated that Governor Okpebholo has at no time violated any section of the Electoral Act, including Section 94 (1), as falsely alleged by the Edo factional PDP. Edo governor, like every well-meaning Nigerian, reserves the right to express support for President Tinubu?s vision and administration.

?It is laughable that the Edo PDP, in its desperation to stay relevant, has now resorted to twisting every statement from the governor to score cheap political points. Governor Okpebholo?s statement was made in the context of strengthening collaboration with the Federal Government for the development of Edo State. Besides, Governor Okpebholo reserves the right to kick-start the re-election campaign for President Tinubu without apologies.?

The CPS to Okpebholo also stated that Edo PDP?s knee-jerk reaction once again exposed its deep-seated insecurity and dwindling influence in the state.

He said: ?Rather than issue press statements riddled with inaccuracies and political bitterness, the Edo PDP should take time to reflect on the massive goodwill Governor Okpebholo enjoys across party lines and among the people of Edo State who are already witnessing a breath of fresh air in governance.

?If Governor Okpebholo opts for an open re-election campaign for President Tinubu, it is within his rights. Unfortunately, what now exists in the infamous PDP is a political party in disarray, struggling to reclaim lost relevance by grasping at straws.?

Itua also stated that the good people of Edo State were not fooled, thereby knowing that Okpebholo was focused on delivering on his mandate, restoring public confidence in governance, and bringing Edo back to the path of peace, prosperity, and progress. (The Nation)