As the elections for the governor of Edo State get closer, Osaigbovo Logan Okunbor, a youth leader from Edo North, has voiced his worries. He is concerned that the All Progressives Congress (APC) does not have any women in their campaign team.
He believes this is a missed chance to connect with the important group of women voters in Edo State.
Okunbor especially talked about Blessing Okpapi, the wife of APC candidate Senator Monday Okpebholo, not being seen in the campaign.
He noticed that many people are pushing for Mrs. Okpapi to be more active in the campaign and even speak to the voters.
“Despite this pressure, both Senator Okpebholo and Hon. Blessing Agbomhere have reportedly opposed the idea, insisting that Mrs. Okpapi remain silent during public appearances,” he said.
He explained that in Nigerian politics, candidates often use their family, particularly their spouse, to connect with voters, especially women.
Okunbor mentioned that Senator Okpebholo has been campaigning around the state, often with his daughters.
But the absence of his wife has made people curious and questioning why.
He observed that Mrs. Okpapi was present at the start of the campaign in all three senatorial districts, with big APC figures like Senator Adams Oshiomhole and Senator Matthew Urhoghide.
“Despite this, her role has been largely invisible, thereby raising questions about the strategy behind her exclusion from public speaking engagements,” Okunbor stated.
Okunbor, who works with the National Youth Association of Nigeria (NYAN), said that not letting Mrs. Okpapi speak in public has led to many speculations.
“The lack of a visible female figure in Okpebholo’s campaign could be seen as a missed opportunity to engage with the crucial female demographic in Edo State,” he added.
He also said, “The mystery surrounding her absence might be interpreted in ways that could potentially harm Okpebholo’s credibility among voters who value family unity and transparency.”