The Chairman of Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Blessing Albert Ebhodaghe, has directed commercial drivers operating in motor parks across the council to wear caps and other materials associated with President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ebhodaghe issued the directive during a visit to the Onitsha Motor Park, where he warned drivers against wearing caps or political materials associated with other parties.
The chairman said the directive was part of efforts to support Governor Monday Okpebholo’s commitment to mobilise 2.5 million votes for President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
He also linked the call for political support to development projects being undertaken by the state government, particularly road construction, which he said had improved transportation and made it easier for drivers to conduct their businesses.
Ebhodaghe said he would personally monitor compliance with the directive and contact the leadership of the affected motor parks if drivers were found wearing materials associated with other political parties.
The directive has, however, attracted criticism from civic group MonITNG, which called on the council chairman and Governor Okpebholo to clarify whether the directive was authorised by the state government.
The group argued that motor parks are public spaces where citizens earn their livelihoods and should not be used to compel political allegiance.
The controversy comes shortly after Governor Okpebholo inaugurated the newly elected chairmen and vice chairmen of Edo State’s 18 local government areas and urged them to strengthen grassroots political structures and mobilise support for President Tinubu and the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
It remains unclear whether the governor or the Edo State Government authorised the specific directive issued by the Esan West council chairman.
MonITNG has therefore called for clarification from the relevant authorities, stressing the need to distinguish between political party mobilisation and the administration of public facilities.
