Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has stirred political debate after declaring that no amount of insecurity or criminal activity would prevent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from retaining political relevance ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting that “there is no vacancy in Aso Rock.”
The governor made the remarks during the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress campaign for the forthcoming local government council elections in Edo South Senatorial District. Speaking before party supporters and candidates, Okpebholo alleged that the recent rise in kidnapping and other security challenges across the country was being orchestrated by political opponents seeking to distract the Tinubu administration and create a negative perception of the Federal Government.
In one of the most striking moments of his speech, the governor stated that those behind the wave of insecurity should understand that their actions would not create opportunities for them to occupy positions of power. According to him, no matter how severe the security situation becomes, the presidency remains out of reach for those allegedly sponsoring unrest...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
“Even if they kidnap all of us, there is no vacancy in Aso Rock,” he declared, while accusing opposition elements of attempting to destabilize the country through acts of criminality and violence. He argued that insecurity should never be used as a political weapon and warned that kidnapping innocent citizens would not translate into electoral success.
Okpebholo further claimed that the recent increase in abductions and other violent crimes was not a coincidence, alleging that certain individuals were deliberately exploiting insecurity to undermine public confidence in the administration of President Tinubu. He maintained that those involved had already failed politically and were now resorting to desperate measures in a bid to weaken the government.
The governor expressed concern over the growing number of kidnapping incidents recorded in different parts of the country, including attacks targeting schoolchildren, teachers and ordinary citizens. He called on those responsible for the abductions to release their victims immediately and unconditionally, stressing that political ambition should never be pursued through fear, violence or criminal acts.
According to Okpebholo, Nigeria cannot afford to allow criminal elements dictate the direction of governance or hold citizens hostage for political or personal gain. He emphasized that the country belongs to law-abiding Nigerians and not kidnappers, bandits or other groups seeking to destabilize the nation.
The governor also used the occasion to praise President Tinubu’s economic policies, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy. He argued that the policy has enabled states to access greater resources for infrastructure and development projects. Okpebholo insisted that the impact of the reforms is becoming visible through ongoing projects and investments across Edo State, adding that the administration deserves continued support rather than distractions.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the governor reaffirmed Edo State’s support for President Tinubu and expressed confidence that the APC would remain a dominant political force. He said the party’s preparations for upcoming local government elections would further strengthen its grassroots presence and position it for future electoral victories.
His comments have since generated widespread reactions across political circles, with supporters describing his remarks as a strong defense of the Tinubu administration, while critics argue that the focus should be on addressing the root causes of insecurity rather than assigning political motives. Regardless of differing opinions, the statement has once again brought national attention to the growing security challenges facing Nigeria and the intense political contest already beginning to shape discussions ahead of the next election cycle.
As kidnapping and violent crime continue to dominate public discourse, Okpebholo’s remarks underscore the growing tension between security concerns and political rivalry, with many Nigerians hoping that concrete solutions to insecurity will take precedence over partisan disagreements in the months ahead.
