A former presidential aspirant and Edo State governorship candidate, Patience Ndidi Ofure Key, has criticised remarks attributed to Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, over an alleged promise to “deliver 2.5 million votes” for the President in the 2027 general election.

Ofure Key described the comment as undemocratic and disrespectful to the people of Edo, insisting that votes belong solely to the citizens and cannot be treated as political commodities.

“Edo votes are not for sale. Edo votes are not for delivery. Edo people are not political commodities,” she said, emphasising that no political office holder has the authority to speak as though citizens’ electoral choices have already been predetermined or transferred.

She questioned the feasibility of the governor’s claim, citing past election figures in the state. According to her, recent governorship elections in Edo have recorded significantly lower vote totals, making the figure of 2.5 million unrealistic and raising concerns about whether such statements reflect mere political rhetoric or something more troubling.

Ofure Key urged the governor to shift focus from future electoral projections to immediate governance priorities, including security, job creation, infrastructure, healthcare, and education. She stressed that leadership should be measured by performance and service delivery rather than political grandstanding.

The former candidate also warned against what she described as a growing culture of political entitlement, where leaders act as though they “own” the people or the state. She reaffirmed that Nigeria’s democracy belongs to all citizens and that every Nigerian has the right to participate freely in the political process.

“As we approach the 2027 elections, Nigerians must reject intimidation, manipulation, and vote-buying,” she said, calling on citizens to remain vigilant and exercise their voting rights responsibly.

She concluded by reminding leaders that electoral support must be earned through trust, transparency, and accountability, not imposed through influence or rhetoric.

“Votes are earned by trust, not delivered by command,” she added.