Stephen Angbulu, Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis and Adeyinka Adedipe
On Monday, President Bola Tinubu promised to back the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate Monday Okpebholo and his running mate, Dennis Idahosa, for the September 2024 governorship election.
Tinubu assured Okpebholo of support, saying, "We are going to stand with you like the wall of Gibraltar. That is all I can assure you," when presenting the party’s flag to him in Abuja.
Ajuri Ngelale, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, quoted Tinubu as saying the APC was set to win against the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State and produce the state’s sixth civilian governor.
The title of the statement was ‘President Tinubu presents APC flag to Senator Okpebholo, says party on the path to victory in Edo guber.’
In 2008, Edo had off-cycle elections due to court judgments overturning the results of at least one previous election.
In November of that year, a tribunal and the Court of Appeal reviewed polls from 2007, removed Governor Oserheimen Osunbor of the Peoples Democratic Party, and declared Adams Oshiomhole of the APC the winner.
At a meeting with party stalwarts led by APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the President stated, "If you are happy; we are happy. If you are determined; we are determined. We are going to work with you."
Tinubu assured, "We are going to stand with you like the wall of Gibraltar. That is all I can assure you. The party is supreme, but victory is superior and very important."
President Tinubu praised the leadership of the party in Edo for their efforts in the successful primary that produced the flag bearers.
He also praised Oshiomhole, a former governor of the state, for his exemplary leadership.
Tinubu stated, "Distinguished senator and our flagbearer, we are putting you forward in order to hold the party in trust for us and achieve victory for us."
Tinubu mentioned, "You and your running mate have been described as giant killers, and you have worked tirelessly with the party leadership.’’
When inviting Edo State woman leader, Betty Okoebor, to share the party’s readiness for the election, Tinubu reiterated that strong support from women would ensure the party’s victory.
The President said, 'If the women say we are going to win, then we are good to go because they constitute the largest number of voters and the most dedicated.'
APC National Chairman Ganduje emphasized the need for unity within the party to achieve victory in the election.
Ganduje said, "Our candidate is soft-spoken, focused, and an achiever. He is a highly marketable product, and I am confident that with him as our flagbearer, we will bring Edo back to our party."
Meanwhile, Okpebholo claimed that some forces saw his emergence as a threat and were determined to prevent his victory in the primaries. However, he stated that Edo voters would decide who leads them on September 21.
The governor, Godwin Obaseki of the PDP, has not been able to achieve the record I have in eight years. So, my coming is a clear threat. They were hoping I would not win this primary.
On September 21, Edo people will express their opinion. We are prepared to take over Edo State. What happened at the primary shows that the President is a democrat, a voice for the powerless.
The primary in Edo was competitive. And a winner has emerged. We have our deputy now. We are getting started. The sky is our limit. Now it’s time to say goodbye to PDP in Edo,” he stated.
The PUNCH also understands that Monday’s meeting gave parties the chance to address disagreements in Edo APC that have been developing for weeks.
It was learned that Idahosa was asked to withdraw his protest litigation against the candidacy of Okpebholo.
The primary election through which Okpebholo was chosen as a candidate had been tangled in controversy. Idahosa was initially declared the party’s nominee by the Governor Hope Uzodimma-led committee.
The first round of voting on February 18 saw Okpebholo, Idahosa, and Dekeri claiming the party’s governorship ticket.
As a result, the party’s National Working Committee declared the exercise as inconclusive due to several irregularities. Okpebholo eventually secured victory with 12,433 votes in a re-run held on February 23.
Earlier, the APC had revealed that the lawmaker representing Ovia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dennis Idahosa, as Okpebholo’s running mate for the September 21 governorship poll.
Meanwhile, Oshiomole, on Monday officially congratulated Okpebholo for emerging the APC governorship candidate in Edo.
“Dear Senator Monday Okpebholo, I extend my heartfelt congratulations on your well-deserved emergence as the flag bearer of our esteemed party, the All Progressives Congress, for the upcoming 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 important 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 appeals to the voters and ensures victory in the governorship election on September 21, 2024,” Oshiomhole said.
