The much-touted political ambition of Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo to deliver 3.5 million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is coming under intense pressure, following a wave of defections to the African Democratic Congress, ADC from with the governor’s political base in Edo Central Senatorial District.
In what observers describe as an embarrassing twist, the defections are not only coming from opposition ranks but also from within the governor’s own All Progressives Congress (APC), raising questions about the viability of the ambitious vote target.
The growing unrest is most visible in Esanland, Okpebholo’s home turf, where members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are gaining ground with a steady influx of defectors from the APC, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Labour Party (LP).
At a packed political gathering in Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government Area, the ADC formally received scores of new members in a show of strength that many interpret as a direct challenge to the governor’s political machinery.
Leading the reception were the party’s state chairman, Tony Alile, and prominent political figure Kenneth Imansuagbon, who both described the defections as a turning point in the district’s political direction.
“Brothers And Sisters Are Rejecting The Plot”
According to Alile, the surge is being driven not by inducement but by deepening frustration among the people.
“This is a reflection of public dissatisfaction,” he told journalists, adding that the ADC is fast becoming the preferred platform for those seeking change.
Imansuagbon went further, describing the defections as a rejection of entrenched political structures and a signal that the people are ready to reclaim control of their political future.
Cracks In The APC Base
The fact that some of the defectors are reportedly coming from the APC has heightened the political significance of the development.
Analysts say defections from within the ruling party, particularly in the governor’s senatorial district, could undermine grassroots mobilisation efforts critical to any large-scale electoral projection.
“This is not just opposition politics; this is internal erosion,” a political watcher noted. “When your base begins to shift, your projections become uncertain.”
Hardship Driving Shift
Stakeholders within the ADC attribute the growing support to persistent issues affecting residents, including insecurity, economic hardship, and unemployment.
These challenges, they argue, have pushed many voters to seek alternative political platforms capable of offering responsive leadership.
The event also saw the unveiling of new aspirants, including Barnabas Odion, who declared his intention to contest for the Esan South East State Constituency seat under the ADC.
Odion said his move was driven by years of neglect and poor representation, pledging to prioritise development and grassroots engagement.
Battle For Edo Intensifies
With the latest wave of defections, ADC leaders say the party is consolidating its foothold in Edo Central while expanding its influence ahead of future contests.
For Governor Okpebholo, however, the development presents a fresh political test.
His widely publicised commitment to deliver millions of votes for President Tinubu is now facing resistance from within his own backyard—a situation that could reshape calculations as the 2027 political season gathers momentum.
For now, one message appears to be emerging clearly from Edo Central: the road to 3.5 million votes may not be as smooth as once projected with the fightback of the ADC.
…GWGng
