The Chairman of Esan West Local Government Area in Edo State, Blessing Albert (also known as Blessing Ebhodaghe), has sparked widespread controversy after threatening to evict commercial drivers from motor parks unless they wear All Progressives Congress (APC)-branded caps.

In a viral video captured during a tour of motor parks in Ekpoma, the council`s administrative headquarters, Albert issued what he termed a "standing warning" ahead of the 2027 general elections. He stated that displaying opposition or non-APC political materials would lead to immediate expulsion from the parks.

"On no account will I see any driver put on a cap or any material that does not belong to APC," Albert warned the drivers. "Any driver who violates the directive will not benefit from the park and could be ordered to leave, regardless of his relationship with me."

Immediately following the threat, the local government chairman was filmed personally handing out APC-branded caps to the drivers to enforce compliance.

Albert tied the coercive directive to the broader political goals of Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, particularly the administration`s target to deliver 2.5 million votes from the state for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

Defending the administration, the chairman urged transport workers to back the ruling party, citing recent infrastructural developments—such as improved interstate road networks to destinations like Onitsha—as direct benefits to their commercial operations. He insisted that commercial drivers share a collective duty to support the government and help actualize the governor’s electoral promises.

This localized mandate follows a similar controversial move by Governor Okpebholo in 2025, who had directed state commissioners to wear specific "Asiwaju/Tinubu" caps during executive council meetings.

The chairman`s recent ultimatum has drawn intense public scrutiny and mixed reactions across civil spaces regarding political coercion and the use of public transport infrastructure for partisan mobilization.