As with any political campaign, the presence and support of a candidate's family, especially their spouse, is often a key element in connecting with voters, particularly women. However, a noticeable absence in Okpebholo's campaign has sparked curiosity and speculation, where is his wife?
Senator Monday Okpebholo has been actively campaigning across the state, often accompanied by his daughters. Their visible presence in his campaign trail has resonated with the electorate, showcasing a family oriented man. However, despite his daughters' active involvement, but his wife face and voice remains conspicuously absent. This has raised several questions among the electorate and political observers alike.
Historically, political candidates in Nigeria and beyond often present a united family front during campaigns. The presence of a candidate's spouse can be a powerful symbol, often used to appeal to certain voter demographics, such as women and family oriented individuals. The absence of Okpebholo's wife has led many to question the reasons behind this strategy.
According to information circulating in the public domain, it has been reported that the wife of Senator Monday Okpebholo attended the campaign flag-off for the three senatorial districts, which was led by Senator Adams Oshiomole and Senator Matthew Urhoghide and Osegie Ize-Iyamu.
During one of the event in Edo North Senatorial District, a youth leader, Hon Emmanuel Benjamin observed that there was significant pressure on the campaign organization to allow her to address the people. Despite this, Senator Monday Okpebholo, along with Hon. Blessing Agbomhere, firmly opposed the idea and insisted that she should not speak to the people of Edo.
According to Benjamin who is the National Deputy Speaker of National Youth Association of Nigeria NYAN, the presence of the Senator's wife at such a high profile political event sparked expectations among the attendees, with many believing that she would deliver a speech. The insistence from her husband and Hon. Agbomhere that she refrain from speaking has raised questions and fueled speculation about the underlying reasons for their decision.
The speculation surrounding Senator Okpebholo's wife is fueled by the fact that she is not present in the public eye, neither in physical campaigns nor on social media. Additionally, despite the APC's recent unveiling of Okpebholo's wife on Wikipedia to be Blessing Okpapi, she still remains a mystery to many. This has led to a series of unanswered questions:
For political followers, the concern is Why is Senator Okpebholo campaigning without his wife and is there a strategic reason behind her absence, or could there be personal reasons that have not been disclosed to the public?
Having made the disclosure via Wikipedia, why hasn't she been brought out to galvanize Edo women In a state where women play a crucial role in both the economy and politics, the absence of a female figure in Okpebholo's campaign could be seen as a missed opportunity to connect with this vital demographic and goes to show how he views women.
"The questions surrounding Senator Okpebholo's wife have broader implications for his campaign. In Nigerian politics, the perception of family values and the presence of a supportive spouse can significantly impact a candidate's appeal, particularly among conservative and traditional voters. The mystery surrounding his wife's absence could be interpreted in various ways, some of which may not be favourable," Benjamin submitted.
According to concened analyst, who has followed Edo politics and feels Senator Okpebholo standa a better chance than the PDP flag bearer, Dr. Asue Ighodalo.
As the elections draw nearer to November datemm, the pressure on Senator Okpebholo to address these concerns is likely to increase. Failing to do so could lead to further speculation and possibly undermine his credibility among voters who value transparency and family unity.
Senator Monday Okpebholo's campaign has been marked by the visible presence of his daughters while their Mother is relegated to the back seat on the podium, This has led to a wave of speculation and questions that are yet to be adequately answered.
As the election approaches, how Okpebholo addresses these concerns or if he continues to ignore them could play a crucial role in determining the outcome of his campaign.
In the meantime, the people of Edo State are left to wonder: Where is Senator Monday Okpebholo's wife? and why is she being prevented from working with the Edo APC women and speaking to the Edo people?
