Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, responding to what he called persistent criticism of his administration, has invited Arise Television anchors Oseni Rufai and Reuben Abati to tour state projects.
Reports indicate that the invitation was extended during the defection of members from the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Labour Party (LP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday, the 4th of March, 2026 in Benin City.
Governor Okpebholo said the project inspections would allow the media personalities to evaluate his administration’s performance over the past year.
“I want to use this opportunity to invite Oseni Rufai and Reuben Abati of Arise Television. I will also personally write them a letter. By the time they spend two days in Edo State, you will vote for ‘Asiwaju’, you and your wives.
“I will drive them myself and take them from one project to another. Two days and even one week will not be enough to take them around the projects, but I will only take them to a few project locations, whether they will then start campaigning for President Bola Tinubu or not,” he said.
The governor emphasized that Edo State’s activities reflect practical governance, with visible development funded through federal allocations. He urged President Bola Tinubu to focus on commissioning projects rather than campaigning in the state, describing Edo as settled and firmly aligned with the APC.
Okpebholo linked the state’s development to federal support and said the administration’s achievements would speak louder than campaign promises.
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He added that with 31 APC governors nationwide, the party remains strong, and further political alignments are expected ahead of 2027. He reaffirmed his administration’s loyalty to the APC and the presidency, noting that Edo’s political security is anchored in party unity and sustained development.
Earlier, Senator Adams Oshiomhole hailed the defections of Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and Abba Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, to the APC as proof of President Bola Tinubu’s performance.
Oshiomhole argued that the moves by children of prominent PDP figures signal the declining relevance of the opposition. He encouraged remaining opposition members to join the APC before the window for defectors closes.
He credited the defections of state, local government, and ward leaders to the leadership of Governor Okpebholo and Edo APC chairman Jarret Tenabe.