Edo Deputy Governor backs youth push for Tinubu’s 2.5m votes in 2027

BENIN CITY — Edo State Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, has pledged the state government’s partnership with the Benin Youth Leaders Forum in its mobilisation drive to secure the 2.5 million votes Governor Monday Okpebholo has promised to deliver to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

Idahosa made the commitment on Tuesday when the executives and members of the Benin Youth Leaders Forum, led by its President, Prince Orobosa Omorede, paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Benin City.

The Deputy Governor commended the Forum for identifying with the developmental strides of the Okpebholo-led administration, assuring that the government remained committed to providing good governance and improving the wellbeing of Edo residents.

He stressed the importance of Edo State standing firmly behind President Tinubu in 2027, while commending the President for what he described as significant interventions and achievements across various sectors of the economy.

Idahosa said the administration would work closely with the youth leadership structure to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and ensure the realisation of the 2.5 million-vote target.

Earlier, Omorede said the Forum visited the Government House to formally declare its support for the Okpebholo administration and its commitment to mobilising support for President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.

He disclosed that various youth groups had been brought under one umbrella with the central objective of contributing to the realisation of the 2.5 million-vote target for the President.

Omorede stated that the Benin Youth Leaders Forum is a duly registered Incorporated Trustee and Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and an affiliate of the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum, noting that the organisation is committed to preserving Edo’s cultural heritage, promoting peace, youth empowerment, good governance and community development.

According to him, the Forum plans to mobilise more than 10,000 youths and organise a one-million-man march as part of its grassroots campaign and voter-mobilisation strategy.

“To publicly seal this merger and send an undeniable signal across Edo State, the Forum proposes a landmark, stadium-filling gathering: the Edo Youth and Heritage Grand Endorsement,” Omorede said.

The Forum also commended Idahosa for his loyalty and support to Governor Okpebholo, describing his leadership style as exemplary and supportive of the administration’s good-governance agenda.

The visit culminated in the presentation of an Award of Excellence to the Deputy Governor by Orobosa in recognition of his exemplary leadership and service to Edo State.