The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has once again raised serious concerns over what it describes as an unconstitutional and premature political campaign launched by Governor Monday Okpebholo for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
The party, through its Publicity Secretary, Chris Osa Nehikhare, condemned the governor’s actions, which it says violate the Electoral Act and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to the PDP, Senator Okpebholo’s declaration of having “kick-started” President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign is a blatant disregard for Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022.
The section clearly stipulates that public campaigns by political parties must commence 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours before the election.
In a strongly worded statement issued Monday, Nehikhare criticized the governor’s camp for their “vacuous, ignominious, and disappointing” response to the issue, noting that even the Presidency had distanced itself from Okpebholo’s premature campaign move, describing it as inappropriate and unlawful.
“The PDP merely raised a constitutional alarm about a political campaign taking place more than two years before it is legally permissible,” Nehikhare said.
“The Presidency, in its wisdom, also condemned Governor Okpebholo’s unconstitutional action. Yet, rather than accept fault, the governor and his media handlers have launched a tirade of threats against the public and opposition voices.”
The PDP further called out Okpebholo’s spokesperson, Fred Itua, accusing him of making inflammatory statements that threaten democratic discourse and free speech.
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“Mr. Itua has taken it upon himself to lash out at critics, threatening fire and brimstone against anyone who dares to call out their government’s lawlessness. Such posturing is reminiscent of dictatorial regimes and is entirely out of place in a constitutional democracy like Nigeria,” the statement added.
The PDP pointed to multiple pieces of evidence, including Okpebholo’s own press statement (Press Release NO.87/EDSGH/2025) titled, “2027: GOV OKPEBHOLO KICKSTARTS CAMPAIGN FOR PRESIDENT TINUBU’S RE-ELECTION IN EDO,” issued and signed by Fred Itua, which they say proves their position.
The campaign launch was widely reported in the media, including in ThisDay and the state-owned Nigerian Observer on April 10, 2025, with matching headlines. Massive campaign billboards promoting Tinubu’s 2027 ambition have also been mounted across major streets in Benin City.
The party queried the governor’s basis for issuing threats despite this overwhelming public record.
“On what moral or legal grounds is Governor Okpebholo threatening the PDP or the Nigerian public? These are citizens of a democracy—not subjects of a fiefdom,” Nehikhare stated.
He accused the APC-led Edo State government of ruling without the people’s mandate and attempting to silence dissent through intimidation. “They did not come to power through the will of the people, which perhaps explains their disdain for the rule of law and public accountability,” he said.
“Itua must understand the weight of his office. Public tantrums and undignified language are unbecoming of someone who speaks for a sitting governor. If he cannot take the heat, then he should get out of the kitchen,” Nehikhare concluded.