Governor Monday Okpebholo has extended Edo State’s political outreach to the United Kingdom, courting the state’s diaspora community in what appears to be an early push to consolidate support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election while positioning overseas Edo indigenes as critical partners in the state’s development.
At a town hall-style engagement in London, the governor blended politics with economic diplomacy, urging Edo professionals, entrepreneurs and investors abroad to return home with their expertise, capital and global networks to accelerate development.
The meeting, organised under the banner of Shine Beyond Borders and hosted by the London Professional Training Centre, also gave Okpebholo an opportunity to present his administration’s performance in office and defend its policies before Nigerians living in the United Kingdom.
Beyond showcasing completed and ongoing projects, the governor challenged members of the diaspora to move beyond emotional ties with their homeland by becoming active investors and development partners.
He argued that Edo was witnessing visible progress under his SHINE Agenda, pointing to road construction, strengthened security architecture, healthcare improvements, education reforms and economic initiatives designed to make the state more attractive to investors.
Among the projects he highlighted were the Ramat Park Flyover in Benin City, reconstruction of the Ekpoma–Auchi section of the Benin–Okene Highway, expansion of security infrastructure through an Army Forward Operational Base, MOPOL 82 Squadron, recruitment of 500 Forest Guards and the approval of a new Army Division for Edo State.
With political calculations already gathering momentum ahead of the next general election, Okpebholo urged Edo indigenes abroad to rally behind his administration and support his commitment to deliver 2.5 million votes for President Tinubu in 2027.
Addressing participants without prepared remarks, the governor appealed to those who had never visited Edo despite tracing their roots to the state.
“Some of you left Edo as children. Some of you have never even seen Edo, but you grew up hearing the names of your communities from your parents. That is true love that has survived oceans,” he said.
He added: “To those of you here who have never seen your ancestral home, I invite you to come back, not as visitors, but as owners.”
Okpebholo urged the diaspora to judge his administration by tangible projects rather than social media narratives, while encouraging them to project Edo positively wherever they live.
He also praised President Tinubu’s economic reforms, saying increased allocations to states had enabled governments to execute projects without depending on federal bailouts.
“The era of governors queuing up for bailouts in Abuja before they could pay workers’ salaries is over. Today, states have more money not only for salaries but enough to undertake infrastructural development,” he said.
The political tone of the event was reinforced when the governor presented participants with branded face caps and souvenirs bearing President Tinubu’s image in support of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, was also at the event, signalling the APC’s determination to deepen its engagement with Edo’s diaspora constituency ahead of 2027.