Adams Oshiomole, the former Governor of Edo State, congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo on becoming the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the state on Monday.
He offered his congratulations a month after his favored candidate, Dennis Idahosa, lost to Okpebholo in the February 22 APC primary election.
Okpebholo won with 12,433 votes, defeating Idahosa, Dr Blessing Agbomhere, and nine other aspirants after the first poll was declared inconclusive.
However, Idahosa disputed the result and took the ruling party to court, claiming they had unfairly deprived him of his mandate.
On Sunday, news emerged that the APC had replaced Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, who had previously been announced as the running mate by the Edo governorship candidate, with Idahosa at a stakeholders meeting attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Ganduje, and several other APC bigwigs.
The acting state chairman of the party, Jarret Tenebe, has announced that both Okpebholo and Idahosa will be officially presented to President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Monday.
Within 24 hours of Idahosa being chosen as a running mate, Oshiomhole, through his senior aide Victor Oshioke, released a press statement in Abuja congratulating Okpebholo for emerging as the party's governorship candidate in Edo State.
The senator representing Edo North also urged him to put aside his differences and the complexities of the primaries by extending a hand of fellowship to his co-contestants and aggrieved stakeholders of the party in the state.
The statement said, "Dear Senator Monday Okpebholo, I offer my heartfelt congratulations on your well-deserved emergence as the flag bearer of our esteemed party, the All Progressives Congress, for the forthcoming Edo State governorship election.
Your victory in the closely contested primaries reflects the belief of our party members in your unwavering dedication and commitment to our party’s core values.
As we embark on this crucial journey, I urge you to leave behind the intrigues of the primaries and extend a hand of fellowship to all those who contested with you for the ticket, as well as to all stakeholders of our party in the state.
Together, we must forge a strong, united front that resonates with the electorate and secures victory in the governorship election on September 21, 2024.
Your decision to choose Hon. Dennis Idahosa, as your running mate, demonstrates great wisdom and foresight. Your joint ticket presents the people of Edo State with the best option to usher in a dynamic, progressive, and responsive government that aligns with the aspirations of our vibrant youth population.
I am confident in your leadership abilities and believe that, with the support of all APC members across the state, we can restore Edo State to the path of progressive governance, sustainable socioeconomic growth, and political inclusion in all its ramifications. Yours in the struggle for the rebirth of a greater Edo State that works for all.
