A war of words has erupted between Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo and the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over early 2027 campaign activities linked to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election.
The disagreement centers around accusations of premature political campaigning and alleged attempts by Governor Okpebholo to gain favor with the Presidency. The PDP praised the Federal Government for distancing itself from unauthorized 2027 campaign billboards, some of which have been linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Senator Okpebholo.
In a statement, PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, applauded the Presidency’s move to condemn early re-election campaigns, saying it helps to avoid unnecessary tension in the political space. The PDP accused Okpebholo and the Edo APC of promoting illegal billboards in a bid to win the President’s favor.
“This is a major setback for Senator Okpebholo’s desperate attempt to gain relevance through illegal and reckless political maneuvers,” the PDP said. “The Presidency’s public disapproval of these premature billboards confirms our earlier concerns, exposing the APC’s disregard for the rule of law and national electoral guidelines.”
The PDP emphasized that such actions are a direct affront to Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which clearly states that political campaigns can only begin 150 days before election day.
The party further criticized the APC for embarrassing the people of Edo State and called on the state government to respond to what it described as the Presidency’s clear rejection of their tactics.
In a swift response, Governor Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, described the PDP’s statement as “reckless, misleading, and malicious.” He accused the opposition party of spreading falsehoods and clinging to relevance by attacking the APC-led administration.
“It is unfortunate that the PDP continues to invent lies in a desperate attempt to smear the image of Governor Okpebholo and the progressive work of the APC in Edo State,” Itua said. “This is nothing more than the frustrated ranting of a party that has lost credibility and is fighting to stay in the political spotlight.”
Itua also called out the PDP’s hypocrisy, accusing the party of repeatedly violating the rule of law during its time in power, while now pretending to uphold constitutional values for political gain.
“The same PDP that trampled on democratic norms and ran a government of impunity has no moral authority to speak about the Electoral Act or constitutional order,” he added.