WHENEVER you engage in a discussion with an APC member about the ongoing tribunal case in Edo State, there is one recurring theme in their argument: “The president will never allow Monday Okpebholo to lose the case.” To them, this is the only assurance they have—hanging their hopes on the belief that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu needs to control more states in order to secure victory in the 2027 general election.
But how valid is this assumption? Does history support this belief? Let’s take a closer look.
If winning Edo State was a prerequisite for securing the presidency, then Goodluck Jonathan would have remained in power in 2015. He won Edo overwhelmingly but still lost the presidency to Muhammadu Buhari, who was soundly defeated in the state. In 2019, the same pattern repeated itself: Atiku Abubakar won Edo State, yet Buhari, who lost in Edo, retained his seat.
Fast forward to 2023, Tinubu lost Edo to Peter Obi, yet Obi did not win the presidency—Tinubu, despite losing in Edo, emerged victorious. Clearly, Edo’s voting pattern has never been a determining factor in deciding who occupies Aso Rock. If history is any guide, a president losing Edo does not translate to losing the national seat. If anything, Tinubu should be praying to lose Edo in 2027 to maintain this historical trend!
Beyond party affiliation, the big question is: What value does Monday Okpebholo bring to President Tinubu? Governance is not just about numbers; it is about competence, leadership, and the ability to implement policies that align with national development goals. If Tinubu truly wants to strengthen governance in Nigeria, then he needs capable and intelligent state governors who can complement the administration’s efforts—not liabilities who will further burden the system.
This is where Asue Ighodalo comes in. As a technocrat with a solid background in economics, finance, and governance, Ighodalo has the expertise to attract investment, foster economic growth, and implement policies that align with the Renewed Hope Agenda. Unlike Okpebholo, who lacks intellectual depth and administrative experience, Ighodalo possesses the qualities needed to turn Edo into an economic powerhouse, thereby contributing to national development.
For Nigeria to progress, the country needs more competent, intelligent, experienced, focused, and capable governors who can support national efforts. Governance should not be reduced to party loyalty alone; it must be driven by competence and vision. A country cannot afford to have governors who lack the capacity to articulate and implement policies.
Monday Okpebholo is not just incompetent—he represents a backward step for Edo. His inability to communicate effectively, his lack of administrative experience, and his shallow understanding of governance make him a liability rather than an asset. A state as strategic as Edo deserves better than an intellectually barren leader.
APC members may continue to cling to the belief that Tinubu will “never allow” Okpebholo to lose, but history has repeatedly shown that no single state determines a president’s fate. If anything, Tinubu should be more concerned about ensuring that governors across the country are competent enough to complement his administration rather than imposing a man who lacks the basic qualities of leadership.
The fate of Edo should not be determined by blind party loyalty but by competence. The tribunal must deliver justice based on the evidence before it, and not on an assumed presidential influence. Nigeria needs leaders who can contribute meaningfully to governance, not political placeholders whose only qualification is being in the ruling party.
