Toba Owojaiye reporting
Benin City, Edo State
Things have gone from bad to worse from the Edo state APC governorship campaign just when push gets to shove, days to the September 21 elections.
In a scathing critique, Daniel Bwala, a prominent public affairs analyst and supporter of the Tinubu administration, has taken the All Progressives Congress (APC) to task over what he describes as a “derailing” and ineffective governorship campaign in Edo State. Bwala’s sharp rebuke was directed at the APC Chairman, Jared Tenebe, and the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, both of whom he believes have mishandled their campaign strategy to the point of bringing shame to the party on the national stage.
Truth Live News gathered Barr Bwala did not mince words in his assessment. Taking to his X handle, he lambasted Tenebe, saying, “The APC governorship campaign in Edo has to do more; so far, the narrative is ineffective. For a stakeholder to say the governorship candidate will not go to Arise TV because Edo people can’t afford DSTV is shameful and regrettable.”
He went on to critique the decision not to send the candidate to a major network, arguing that it portrayed Edo State in an unfairly negative light. “Edo is a rich state with reasonable economic standards; and definitely not among the states bankrupt to the point the people can’t afford DSTV. Haba!” he exclaimed, underscoring the absurdity of the excuse given by the party’s leadership.
Bwala, a seasoned political commentator, further advised Senator Okpebholo to take charge of his narrative by inviting any media house of his choice for interviews. “I will advise Mr. Monday Okpebholo to invite TV houses of his choice and convenience, in a convenient location at his expense, and discuss his policies in the language of his choice. English language is not a test of intelligence; French, Germans, Italians, and Spanish people don’t speak English and they govern their countries well. Edo people deserve more.”
In a pointed observation, Bwala highlighted that several major TV networks, including AIT, Channels TV, Arise TV, and News Central, are owned by businessmen hailing from Edo and Delta States—areas historically connected to former Edo State. “To say that Edo people can’t afford DSTV, which is why Mr. Monday cannot do a TV interview, is bad optics,” Bwala remarked, emphasizing the flawed logic and poor campaign optics that have now cast a shadow over the APC’s efforts in the state.
This criticism comes at a critical time as the APC seeks to consolidate its position in Edo State ahead of the forthcoming governorship elections. However, with voices like Bwala’s raising alarms about the party’s direction, the APC’s campaign strategy may require a swift and comprehensive overhaul to avoid further embarrassment on the national stage.