Edo Governor Okpebholo Strengthens Ties with Tinubu Amid Regional Political Calculations

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo is positioning himself closely with President Bola Tinubu, a move seen as both a strategic alliance and a nod to deep-rooted political history.

Tinubu, who hails from a neighboring region and rose to national prominence through the All Progressives Congress (APC), played a pivotal role in cementing APC’s regional dominance — a trend that was critical to Okpebholo’s contested 2024 gubernatorial victory.

In the 2024 election, Okpebholo clinched 11 of Edo’s 18 local government areas despite allegations of electoral malpractice. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared his victory on September 22, 2024, and a tribunal upheld it on April 2, 2025.

Political analysts point to Tinubu’s influence as president as a key factor in consolidating APC’s hold over Edo, reinforcing the value of party loyalty in Nigeria’s volatile political climate.

Okpebholo’s reference to Tinubu’s personal connection with Edo may trace back to the president’s formative years in politics. During the late 1990s, Tinubu’s mentorship under Alliance for Democracy leaders — at a time when regional alliances were instrumental in shaping political careers — laid the groundwork for his eventual emergence as Lagos State governor.

By aligning himself with Tinubu, Okpebholo appears to be both consolidating his political security at home and embedding Edo more firmly within the APC’s power structure, leveraging historical networks that have long shaped Nigeria’s political map.