Susan Abayomi
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has described the turnout at the All Progressives Congress (APC) grassroots mobilisation tour of Esan communities as a sign of growing support for the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Meanwhile, the Ngas Development Association (NDA) in Kaduna State has announced plans to mobilise more than 2,000 members to welcome APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda ahead of the party’s presidential campaign flag-off scheduled for Saturday, October 24.
During the mobilisation tour of Esan South-East and Esan North-East local government areas in Edo State, Okpebholo thanked party supporters for their reception, particularly in Ewohimi, saying the turnout strengthened his confidence in the party’s grassroots presence.
He urged APC members to remain united and mobilise votes for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, the party’s House of Representatives candidate, Odianosen Okojie, and its Edo Central senatorial candidate, Joseph Ikpea.
The governor argued that Tinubu deserved another term, citing increased financial resources available to state governments under his administration. He also expressed confidence that the APC could achieve its target of 2.5 million presidential votes in Edo State.
Addressing residents in Uromi, Esan North-East, Okpebholo assured property owners whose buildings had been marked for demolition to facilitate the construction of the Uromi Expressway that compensation funds had been released.
He said the affected property owners would receive compensation, linking the government’s infrastructure programme to his appeal for electoral support for the President.
The governor also claimed that cult-related killings and kidnapping had ended in Edo State.
Edo State Commissioner for Public Safety and Security, Festus Ebea, said the turnout during the mobilisation exercise demonstrated the party’s acceptance among men, women and young people in Esan South-East.
Ebea expressed confidence in the electoral prospects of APC candidates and commended Okpebholo for efforts to strengthen the party’s grassroots structures.
Similarly, the state APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, urged residents to support candidates whose programmes addressed their welfare. He cited ongoing road projects as evidence of the administration’s activities and called for unity among party members.
Tenebe also encouraged voters to examine candidates’ backgrounds and records before making their electoral choices.
In Kaduna State, the Ngas Development Association has announced plans to mobilise more than 2,000 members for the reception of Yilwatda ahead of the APC presidential campaign flag-off.
The association said the gathering would celebrate his emergence as national chairman and demonstrate the Ngas community’s solidarity with the party’s leadership.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Kaduna State Chairman of the association, Nentawe Gomiyar, described Yilwatda’s emergence as a source of pride for the Ngas people of Plateau State and the wider region.
Gomiyar said the community was preparing to welcome Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, state governors, members of the Presidential Campaign Council and other senior party officials expected at the event.
He noted that Ngas families had lived in Kaduna for more than a century and continued to contribute to the state’s development through various professions and activities.
The association also commended Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani for what it described as his developmental efforts and inclusive approach to governance.
It praised Deputy Governor Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, who chairs the Local Organising Committee, for overseeing preparations at the campaign venue.
According to the association, the completion of venue preparations ahead of schedule reflected the level of organisation and commitment being invested in the event.
The mobilisation exercises in Edo and Kaduna come as political parties and their supporters begin strengthening grassroots structures and organising activities a
