2027: Edo Diaspora PDP Chieftain Ogiamien Defects to APC, Endorses Tinubu For Continuity

Hendrix Oliomogbe 

Scion of the ancient Ogiamien Family of Benin, Edo State and founder of American Heritage University of Southern California, Prof. Tony Ogiamien has endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term.

Prof. Ogiamien, a foundation member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), who is based in California, United States said that he decided to quit the opposition party and join the All Progressives Congress (APC) because of the internecine squabbles by the feuding factions for the soul of the party.

The erudite scholar confessed that leaving the PDP for the APC was not an easy decision and that he took the decision after a serious soul searching and careful assessment of the potential presidential candidates of the different opposition parties in the 2027 elections.

Prof. Ogiamien added: "I am not a new generation politician that just started every ten minutes. PDP has lost direction. I monitored the PDP up to 2024 and 2025 until they started quarrelling over the chairmanship.

"I prayed to God to direct me. I am from Ogiamien, the oldest family in Benin. After a serious soul searching and discussion with my family and friends, I decided to support President Tinubu. I will tell my family members, friends and supporters to vote for him in next year's election."

The former dean of Law at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) said that he decided to throw his weight behind the re-election of President Tinubu because of continuity.

He noted that three years into the presidency, Nigerians are familiar with the economic policies of the present administration and should be allowed to see them through instead of voting for another candidate, who will probably cancel the reforms in favour of new economic policies.

He said: "I decided to join the APC and support President Tinubu's re-election bid because Nigerians already know him and are familiar with his policies. We can't afford to support somebody we don't know, who will probably reverse the reforms start all over again.

He called for an amendment of the electoral law to allow Nigerians based in the diaspora to vote for their preferred candidates, in the countries where they live.

While calling on Edo people to turn out en masse next year to vote for President Tinubu and candidates of the APC, the university don disclose that he intends to mobilize diaspora Edo people and Nigerians in general to vote for President Tinubu in the 2027 elections.