Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has firmly rejected allegations that political godfathers handpicked him as a puppet leader for the state. Speaking during a televised interview, Okpebholo attributed his rise to the governorship position to divine guidance and support from various individuals, rather than the influence of any godfather figures.
“Can you even point out one godfather who was pushing me?” he asked, defending his independence in the political landscape. “God was using people to help me, to support me, to get to where I am today,” he added, emphasizing that his political journey was a result of divine intervention and the will of the people of Edo State.
Regarding the role of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Okpebholo acknowledged Akpabio’s support but clarified that it was in the interest of Edo State’s progress, and not a reflection of control. “Senate President is the leader from the South-South. Whatever he did was for the progress of Edo people; he wanted Edo to be repositioned,” Okpebholo said.
The governor further expressed his confidence in his political future, stating, “Even in the next 20 years, I will win. Do you know when I won my Senate seat, there was a sitting senator? At that time, everything was working against us, but yet we won.” He noted that many in the opposition secretly supported him due to their dissatisfaction with the government of his predecessor, Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Okpebholo also addressed the narrative that Adams Oshiomhole, the former governor of Edo State and a key figure in his campaign, is a “dictator.” He refuted these claims, describing Oshiomhole as someone who offers him a free hand in governance. “Even the man that they say is a dictator is not dictating anything; I am seeing a different Oshiomhole. Oshiomhole is giving me a free hand,” he explained, adding that Oshiomhole provides valuable advice that has contributed to the success of his administration.
The governor’s victory in the September 21, 2024, governorship election, where he triumphed over Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Asue Ighodalo and Labour Party (LP) candidate Olumide Akpata, marked a significant political shift in Edo State. Okpebholo, formerly a senator for Edo Central, leveraged his regional influence and collaborated with Oshiomhole to secure his win. His victory also benefited from an alliance with Dennis Idahosa, his running mate, and Philip Shaibu, the estranged former deputy governor of Obaseki.
Okpebholo’s success came after the All Progressives Congress (APC) lost power in Edo in 2020, following Obaseki’s defection to the PDP. Despite this, Okpebholo, with strong support from Oshiomhole, successfully dethroned Obaseki’s preferred candidate in the 2024 race, restoring the APC’s hold on the state.
