Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has declared that he will resign from office if President Bola Tinubu does not win the 2027 presidential election in Edo State, political observers say. The statement, made over the weekend during an interview, has set off fresh discussion in the state’s political circles.

Okpebholo said he is confident that President Tinubu’s re-election bid will succeed in Edo State and that the widespread support the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) enjoys locally will translate into a victory at the polls. He told reporters that if this does not happen he would stand by his words and step down from his position as governor. “If Asiwaju does not win his re-election, I will resign as governor,” he said during remarks aimed at underscoring his belief in the ruling party’s strength in the state.

The governor’s comment was made in the context of a broader political debate in Edo State involving key figures such as former governor Godwin Obaseki, who responded to Okpebholo’s earlier claims about political dynamics in the state. Critics have reacted to the governor’s pledge with a mix of support and scepticism, while opposition voices argue the statement is political posturing rather than a serious commitment.

Edo State is seen as an important battleground for the 2027 elections, with various parties intensifying their grassroots mobilisation ahead of the polls. Okpebholo’s vow is likely to be revisited as the election draws closer and campaign issues come into sharper focus.