• Super Admin
• 07 Mar, 2026

The re-elected Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Jarret Tenebe, has expressed confidence that the party will mobilise about 3.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections. Tenebe, who spoke in an interview recently, also dismissed reports of a rift between him and former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, insisting that the party in the state remains united. He further defended the economic and security policies of the Federal Government, saying the reforms introduced by the administration, though painful, are necessary. Speaking on speculations about tension within the Edo APC ahead of the party's congresses, Tenebe described the reports as unfounded. According to him, the party leadership in the state remains firmly behind the governor, Monday Okpebholo. "The leader of the party in Edo is the governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo. The insinuation that Senator Oshiomhole and I are not working together is false," he told Vanguard. Tenebe explained that the only disagreement he had with Oshiomhole occurred during the party's primaries when he insisted on due process. "The only disagreement we had was during the primaries. I insisted on due process and stood my ground until it was done properly. After the primaries, we closed ranks, campaigned together and won the election. Since then, we have been working harmoniously. There are no cracks in the party," the party chairman said. He added that the party would not replace what he described as a "winning team." "I have been acting chairman and I do not see the party replacing a winning team. We fought to ensure we produced a good governor. Now, our duty is to support him to succeed." Tenebe expressed confidence that the forthcoming party congress in Edo State would proceed smoothly. "On the coming congress, it will be seamless. After that, we will have the national convention, and the APC will emerge stronger," he said. He disclosed that consultations had already been concluded and that he had received endorsements to continue as chairman. "In Edo, consultations have been concluded. I have the endorsement to continue, and our relationship with Senator Oshiomhole remains cordial. He is a respected leader of the party in the state," Tenebe noted. Responding to allegations by some members that they had been sidelined after the party's electoral victory, Tenebe dismissed the claims. "I do not see anyone being deliberately sidelined. Politics is dynamic. Some people campaigned against us during the election but have now chosen to work with the governor. It would be unwise to reject them if they are ready to contribute positively," he said. According to him, Governor Okpebholo was deliberately chosen because of his reputation for inclusiveness. "Governor Okpebholo was chosen because he is not controversial and has no entrenched political enemies. We believed he would unite Edo State, and that is what he is doing," the party chairman stressed. He added that governance should not be driven by political vendettas. "Governance must not be slowed by vendetta or political payback. Our focus is to bring everyone together for the progress of the state. Politics should not be about bitterness. After elections, we must move forward," Tenebe said. Tenebe insisted that the APC's plan to secure 3.5 million votes for Tinubu in Edo during the 2027 presidential election is realistic. "It is very feasible. We have carried out voter analysis and discovered that Edo has about three million registered voters. Many of them reside outside the state," he said. He explained that the party was engaging Edo indigenes living in other states and encouraging them to return home during elections. "I have been touring other states to engage Edo people who registered at home, urging them to return during elections. We are working on logistics to assist those willing to come back and exercise their civic rights," Tenebe said, adding that the party was also attracting members from opposition parties. "We are also engaging Labour Party and PDP structures at the local government level. Several of their chairmen have indicated interest in joining the APC. The opposition in Edo is already weakened," he noted, stressing that the party was determined to improve on its performance in the last presidential election. "During the last presidential election, we did not secure 25 per cent for the President in Edo. We intend to correct that in 2027," Tenebe said. Addressing criticism that assisting supporters with logistics could amount to inducement, Tenebe rejected the claim. "Mobilising supporters is not vote buying. Campaigning involves engagement and encouragement," he said. "If people are registered in Edo and choose to return home to vote, that is their civic right." The APC chairman also dismissed concerns that the movement of politicians from opposition parties to the ruling party could weaken Nigeria's democracy. "It is not the responsibility of the ruling party to sustain the opposition," Tenebe said. "The constitution guarantees freedom of association. If individuals or parties choose to join the APC, we will welcome them." According to him, the opposition must take responsibility for its own strength. "The opposition must make itself attractive and formidable. If people abandon them, it is not our fault. Politics is about persuasion and performance," he stressed. Responding to concerns over economic hardship in the country, Tenebe acknowledged that many Nigerians were facing difficulties but argued that the reforms being implemented by the Tinubu administration were necessary. "Economic hardship is real, but there are signs of improvement. Food prices are gradually stabilising," he said. He noted that the current administration inherited significant challenges. "The President inherited serious structural challenges, including insecurity that disrupted farming activities," the Edo APC chairman said. According to him, improvements in security would eventually boost agricultural production. "As security improves, agricultural productivity will increase and food supply will stabilise further. The President has a clear direction. Reforms are painful but necessary," Tenebe said. He also argued that Nigeria's security challenges predate the current government. "Insecurity evolved over time due to multiple factors, including regional instability and policy decisions of previous governments," he said. Source: https://www.naijanews.com/2026/03/07/no-rift-with-oshiomhole-edo-apc-united-ready-to-deliver-3-5-million-votes-for-tinubu-tenebe/