A controversy has erupted in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State following a viral video purportedly showing the council chairman, Hon. Blessing Albert, warning commercial drivers and motorcycle riders to wear a campaign face cap supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid or risk being barred from operating.
In the video, which has sparked reactions from members of the public, the council chairman is seen moving around motor parks and areas where commercial motorcycle operators gather, allegedly insisting that operators must wear the branded 2027 campaign face cap.
The development occurs against the backdrop of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s repeated pledge to mobilise 2.5 million votes from Edo State for President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. The governor reiterated this target on September 4, 2026, while inaugurating the state’s 18 newly elected local government chairmen and vice chairmen.
The reported directive has, however, attracted criticism from some members of the public, who questioned whether a local government chairman has the authority to mandate the wearing of a specific political campaign item as a condition for engaging in commercial transportation activities.
Critics argue that political participation, including the choice of candidate or political party to support, should remain a personal decision for eligible voters. They also called for clarification on whether any official directive exists authorising the alleged enforcement.
The controversy has also prompted calls for the Edo State Government to investigate the incident and clarify the local government administration’s position.
The allegations contained in the viral video could not be independently verified from available sources, and Hon. Blessing Albert had not, at the time of this report, publicly responded to the claims.
The incident has nevertheless renewed discussion about the limits of political mobilisation by public officials and the need to separate political campaign activities from the administration of local government affairs.
