In a strongly worded statement that has set the tone for political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections, Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) to Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo — Collins Aghahowa and Emmanuel Egogo — have pledged that authorities will identify and prosecute everyone involved in the “evil” act of tearing down a Asiwaju 2027 campaign banner in the state.

Addressing journalists and party members, Aghahowa and Egogo condemned the removal and defacement of the political display — which was widely understood to promote national leadership ahead of the 2027 presidential election — calling the act unlawful, “politically motivated,” and a threat to peace in the state.

“Everybody that perpetrated the evil act of tearing the Asiwaju 2027 campaign banner, we are going to make sure we bring them to book. We are going to fish you out,” the SSAs said in their joint condemnation. They stressed that the state government will pursue all legal avenues to ensure that those responsible are held accountable under the law.

In the same address, the aides escalated their criticism toward former Edo State governor and current Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart Godwin Obaseki, accusing him of being behind the surge in political violence and insecurity across the state. According to the SSAs, Obaseki — who served as governor from 2016 to 2024 before losing to Okpebholo in the 2024 election — is allegedly “fueling violence and insecurity in Edo State” to undermine the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and disrupt the state’s political stability.

Clash of Narratives in Edo Politics

The pungent remarks come amid a backdrop of heightened political rivalry between the APC-led state government and the PDP, which remains a formidable opposition force in Edo politics. Obaseki, who governed the state for eight years before Okpebholo’s victory, has repeatedly accused the current administration of authoritarian tendencies and of turning a blind eye to rising insecurity — charges the APC has consistently rejected.

For its part, the state APC has maintained that its administration under Okpebholo is committed to peace and progress, pointing to ongoing infrastructure projects and security initiatives across Edo’s three senatorial districts. Party leaders argue that proactive political engagement and lawful campaigning are essential to preserving the state’s democratic fabric as the 2027 election cycle approaches.

Political Tensions Ahead of 2027

The controversy over the Asiwaju 2027 banner — promoting support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid — has put a spotlight on the delicate balance of political expression and lawful conduct in Edo. While supporters of the APC argue that such messaging reflects genuine enthusiasm for the ruling party’s agenda, critics point to premature campaigning concerns and the need to respect electoral laws and democratic norms.

By publicly vowing to find and prosecute those behind the tearing of the banner, Governor Okpebholo’s aides signalled that the state government will not tolerate attacks on political property or behaviour that could incite unrest. The move is expected to strengthen calls for stricter enforcement of laws governing political conduct, as Edo’s electorate braces for a highly contested election season.

As political actors on both sides gear up for the 2027 campaign, tensions like this one highlight the challenges facing Nigerian democracy — where competition for political space must be balanced with peaceful coexistence and respect for rule of law.