Reuben Abati, veteran journalist, Arise Television anchor, and former presidential aide, has criticized the people of Edo State for electing Monday Okpebholo as governor, arguing they passed up the opportunity to choose a "highly educated" and "very intelligent" candidate.
Abati made the remarks during a discussion on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, while reacting to Governor Okpebholo's apparent struggle to pronounce the national honour acronym GCFR (Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic), which is appended to President Bola Tinubu's name.
He mocked the governor's mispronunciation, noting that Okpebholo rendered "GCFR" as something akin to "DSS, GSM, or GSSM" errors he described as basic mistakes "they teach children in school."
“Like Yoruba people would say, it is finished,” Abati stated. “Edo people had the chance to choose a highly educated man who was very intelligent.
They did not want him. But they chose Monday Okpebholo.”The "highly educated man" referenced is widely understood to be Asue Ighodalo, the PDP candidate in the September 2024 Edo governorship election, who lost to Okpebholo of the APC in a closely contested and controversial poll marred by allegations of irregularities.
Abati emphasized that Edo voters must now "live with" their decision, implying the governor's public gaffe over a simple acronym reflects poorly on the electorate's choice.
The comments have sparked widespread reactions online, with some social media users echoing Abati's disappointment over the election outcome, while others defended Okpebholo, accusing critics of elitism and overlooking grassroots appeal.
The incident highlights ongoing debates about leadership quality, education, and voter priorities in Nigerian politics, especially in the wake of the Edo election tribunal processes and public scrutiny of the new administration.
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