“Edo Election: Youth Leader Criticizes Absence of Female Figure in APC Campaign, Highlights Missed Opportunity”
As the Edo State gubernatorial elections draw near, Osaigbovo Logan Okunbor, a youth leader from Edo North, has expressed concern over the absence of a female presence in the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign for the gubernatorial race.
Okunbor, an executive with the National Youth Association of Nigeria (NYAN), criticized the campaign’s lack of visibility for Blessing Okpapi, the wife of APC gubernatorial candidate Senator Monday Okpebholo. He pointed out that her exclusion from the campaign trail could be a missed chance to connect with the significant female demographic in Edo State.
Despite pressure from various quarters for Mrs. Okpapi to play a more active role, including addressing the electorate, reports suggest that both Senator Okpebholo and Hon. Blessing Agbomhere have opposed the idea, preferring she remain silent during public appearances.
Historically, Nigerian political campaigns have often leveraged the presence of candidates’ spouses to engage voters, particularly women. Okunbor noted that while Senator Okpebholo has been actively campaigning, often with his daughters, Mrs. Okpapi’s role has been minimal, sparking speculation about the reasons behind this decision.
He observed that Mrs. Okpapi was present at the campaign flag-off events led by prominent APC figures but has been largely absent from public speaking roles. This, he argues, might be interpreted as a strategic oversight that could potentially affect Okpebholo’s credibility and connection with voters who value family unity and transparency.