Edo ethnic groups begin grassroots campaign for Tinubu

…..Pledge 2.5m votes for President in 2027

…..Begin door-to-door mobilisation across state

By Adams Johnson

Members of various ethnic nationalities resident in Edo State have begun grassroots mobilisation for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election, pledging to deliver 2.5 million votes for the President in the 2027 presidential election.

The groups made their position known during a road walk through major streets in Benin City, where they canvassed support for Tinubu and other candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections.

The march, which began at Kings Square on Ring Road, passed through Mission Road and terminated at the Ministry of Education, with participants drawn from different ethnic communities in the state.

Coordinator of the exercise and former Commissioner for Inter-Ethnic Relations, Anayochukwu Oli, said the participating groups were determined to take the campaign beyond rallies by engaging residents at the grassroots.

Oli, who hails from Enugu State, said the groups would work to deliver the 2.5 million votes projected for Tinubu in Edo, adding that they would also mobilise support for APC candidates contesting other positions.

He said the mobilisation would continue through sustained sensitisation and door-to-door engagement across communities.

“We would continue to sensitise our people in Edo State, letting them know about the good works of the President and his good intentions for Nigeria.

“His reforms might be difficult, but it’s for the growth, development and stability of the Nigerian economy,” he said.

Oli urged members of the various communities to take the message of the administration’s policies and programmes to their respective constituencies.

“I urge all of us to continue to preach to others, showing them the developmental strides of our President and our governor and the need to vote for continuity to ensure development is spread across Nigeria,” he said.

He also commended the Tinubu administration’s student loan initiative, saying the policy had provided students with access to interest-free loans to support their education.

Speaking with journalists after the exercise, President of Niger Delta Indigenes in Edo State, Elder Pius Iyamu, said the road walk was designed to demonstrate the support of the various communities for Tinubu.

“This road walk we just concluded today shows that the Niger Delta Indigenes and other indigenous nationalities living in Edo State are on ground for President Tinubu,” Iyamu said.

He said the groups would take the mobilisation to the grassroots through door-to-door campaigns.

“We shall carry out door-to-door campaign to mobilise and canvass support for votes for our President and all other APC candidates in the forthcoming general election,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the Yoruba community in the state, Moshood Kolawole said the group participated in the exercise because of its support for Tinubu’s second-term bid.

“We are here for the progress, growth and development of Nigeria as President Tinubu stands for growth and development. We are all out here today to sing the praises of our President and ensure he wins the election,” he said.

The Edo State Igbo women leader, Hon. Okechukwu Victoria, said the turnout for the road walk demonstrated the readiness of the participating groups to mobilise support for Tinubu.

“We are ready to deliver President Tinubu come 2027 as the 2.5 million votes is sure and President Tinubu will be returned to Aso Rock for the second time,” she said.