Tag: Okpebholo

Ahead of the 21st September Edo State governorship election, no fewer than 30 All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders from Edo South Senatorial District have endorsed Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama as running mate to Senator Monday Okpebholo, the party’s flag bearer at the polls.

The leaders gave their nod at a meeting attended by top former governorship aspirants and other critical stakeholders from Edo South in Abuja last night.

Among those present at the meeting were former APC governorship candidate  in the state, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, former deputy governor, Lucky Imasuen, General Charles Airhiavbere (rtd), Senator Matthew Urhoghide and stakeholders from the seven local government areas of the zone.

The meeting which was at the instance of the governorship candidate was part of his moves to get the support of all stakeholders to present a united front ahead of the September gubernatorial election in the state.

A source at the meeting told newsmen in Abuja yesterday  that the party and its candidate are set to coast home to victory with the endorsement of Ogbeide-Ihama by leaders from the largest senatorial district in the state.

According to him, “major leaders from Edo South have never been this united before. That is why victory has been very elusive for the APC in the senatorial district. We’ve now settled that issue.

“With Ogbeide-Ihama as the running mate to Senator Okpebholo, all APC leaders from Edo South have formed a united front. We’ll deliver the entire Benin zone to the APC for the first time. This time around, there are no cracks in the party in Edo South.

Read Also: Okpebholo, Edo South APC leaders endorse Ogbeide-Ihama as running mate

“Ogbeide-Ihama is coming into APC with all the ward leaders of the PDP in Edo South and across the three senatorial districts in Edo State. It means 18 factional chairmen of the PDP in Edo State, 192 Ward chairmen and other critical stakeholders are going to work for the success of APC in Edo State.”

Reacting to the development, the party’s governorship candidate, Senator Okpebholo welcomed and endorsed the action taken by the APC leaders from Edo South.

Okpebholo maintained that APC is going into the elections more united than ever and expressed optimism that he’ll emerge as the next governor of Edo State.

“I fully welcome the development and endorsement of Ogbeide-Ihama by leaders of APC from Edo South. This is the first time something of this nature will happen and it shows that the APC family in Edo State is fully ready to go into this election,” Okpebholo said.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is poised to take back Edo State following the emergence of Senator Monday Okpebholo as its governorshop candidate, a chieftain of the party, Blessing Agbomhere has said.

Agbomhere was one of the aspirants for the Edo State governorship election primary conducted by the APC.

In a statement, the former South South Zonal Organising Secretary of the APC, said Okpebholo’s emergence was a testament to the resolve of Edo people to produce a “credible and sellable candidate that can be trusted by the people of the state to deliver on good governance.”

Agbomhere said Okpebholo possesses such “a large amount of humility that melts the heart and the sincerity of purpose that is needed to convince anyone that he has the people of the state at heart and will stop at nothing to ensure a better life for them.”

Okpebholo polled 12,433 votes to defeat 11 other aspirants who contested the re-run election after the first contest was declared inconclusive by the leadership of the ruling party

The senator was one of the three winners that emerged from last Saturday’s cancelled shadow poll.

The final outcome of the exercise was announced officially in Benin City by the new Chairman of the election committee and Cross River Governor, Bassey Otu, following the collation of results from the 18 Local Government Areas.

He noted that Okpebholo’s nomination was victory for all Edo people who have been yearning for a credible and just leader that can drive the developmental agenda of the APC family to secure a better life for Edo people.

The statement reads: “Congratulations to All Members and Leaders of the All Progressives Congress on the emergence of our own Senator Monday Okpebholo as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Edo State.

“The emergence of SMO also known as Akpakomiza is a testament to the resolve of Edo APC family to enthrone internal party democracy which has now produced a credible, capable and sellable candidate that can be trusted to ensure that Edo people are lifted our of the present penury that they find themselves in, occasioned by the purposeless and vision-less PDP administration in the state.”

Read Also: Greedy politicians fuelling attacks on Tinubu over hardship -Arewa Think Tank

Agbomhere commended President Bola Tinubu and the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje for “standing firm for free and fair primaries in Edo state.”

He added that the transparent process adopted for the primaries ensured that a purpose driven and well respected candidate with integrity was produced.

The APC chieftain admonished all party faithful in the state, all other aspirants, women, youths, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and all Edo people including former governor, Comrade Senator Adams Oshiomhole, leaders and statesmen across the country to join hands with Senator Okpebholo to ensure that the party wins the governorship election slated for September.

Agbomhere said since the primary was now over, it was time for respected leaders in the party such as Comrade Oshiomhole; Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Abubakar Momoh; Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu; General Cecil Esekhaigbe; Rt. Hon. Pius Odubu; Hon. Dekeri Anamero; Edo state chairman of the APC, Caliphat Jarret Tenebe; and Secretary of Edo APC, Chief Lawrence Okah, to again show their love and commitment to the party by working assiduously for the election of Senator Okpebholo as the next governor of Edo state.

The national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has declared that the party is on the way to winning Edo state back to the progressive camp. 

He said that the emergence of Senator Monday Okpebholo as the party’s governorship candidate in the just concluded primary election had put the party on the path to regaining Government House on Dennis Osadebe Avenue, Benin City.

The chairman said this on Saturday in Abuja while presenting a certificate of return to Okpebholo, who won last Thursday’s party’s shadow election.

He noted that a direct mode of election was held in 192 wards in the state with records and video evidence, adding that Okpebholo was declared the winner of the primary because he got the highest votes.

Ganduje also stressed the need for other aspirants in the primary election to work with the party flag bearer to ensure the party’s victory in the September 21, 2024 governorship election.

According to the chairman: “The full cooperation, harmony and unity of all aspirants and members of our party is all we need now to win Edo in the coming election now that the primary is over.

“With the emergence of Senator Monday Okpebholo, we (APC) are on the way to win Edo State back to the progressive camp.

“We believe the party has a product that is refined, well packaged and sellable product to the electorate in the person of Okpebholo and we are therefore ready to win Edo,” Ganduje said.

Earlier the Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, while presenting Gov. Bassey Otu’s primary election committee’s report to the National Working Committee (NWC) said the exercise was adjudged nationally and internationally to be the most peaceful, fairest and transparent in the state.

Speaking shortly after receiving his certificate of return the party’s flag bearer, Sen. Okpebholo commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for walking the talk and renewing the hope of the Edo people by practically defending democracy as he has always done all his life.

He was also full of praises to Ganduje, the party’s National Chairman, the National Working Committee, and our political leaders in Edo State led by Comrade Senator Adams Oshiomhole who have piloted the affairs of the party.

While appreciating members of the party and the people state, Okpebholo said, “The APC family in Edo State has made a bold statement by choosing good over evil, development over inanities and love over hate. 

“It has been clear to every discerning mind that Edo State has gone on the wrong path of development with the elitist style of governance with little regard to reality. 

“The journey to resetting our dear State by strengthening her HEARTBEAT with actionable development begins today with your reposing confidence in me as the flag bearer of our great party, the APC.”

He then called on other aspirants who contested the party’s ticket with him to join forces with him to ensure that the APC won Edo in the coming election slated for Sept. 21.

Also speaking at the event, the former deputy governor of the state, Sen. Lucky Imasuen one of the aspirants who contested the party’s ticket with Okpebholo said the party’s NWC was “hard-working, sincere and fair in the handling of the Edo primary.”

He also commended the Primary Election Committee for a job well done, assuring that the other aspirants would work hand in hand with Okpebholo to ensure APC’s victory in the coming Edo governorship election.

Meanwhile one of the governorship aspirants in the just concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, on Saturday stormed the national secretariat of the party, demanding justice.

He appealed to President Bola Tinubu Ahmed Tinubu to call the National Working Committee (NWC) to order.

Idahosa, who was initially declared winner of the shadow election by the Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, also threatened to drag the party to court if justice is not done.

Addressing newsmen at the main gate of the APC National Secretariat, Hon. Idahosa said “I am not here to make trouble, I am a lawmaker but one thing that we want is justice. Today, I might be a young man but it might be the children of NWC members tomorrow. We have to do the right thing, if we continue to do what is wrong as a country, we are not going to move forward. 

Read Also: My candidacy will deliver Edo to APC, Okpebholo assures party

“So I am calling on Mr. President to call NWC to order. Elections were held on the 17th of February what they did on the 22nd was just selection. I challenged one of the LGA returning officers to give me, show me a picture of him in the Local government headquarters where he said he collated the results and was just blabbing, there was nothing because I knew that they were in the same hotel in Benin, that’s where they wrote all the results.

“So my fellow party members, I am not here to make trouble, I am only here to seek justice, whatever they have done if it is not properly managed, I have written yesterday to the appeal panel committee and I know they will do justice, even if whatever they did, I just want to go through the process, having exhausted the party’s resolve mechanism, I will go further, I will seek justice in the court of law and I will not allow this to stand.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) standardbearer in the Edo state governorship election, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has extended an olive branch to other aspirants, their supporters, and party members in the state.

He called for unity among the leadership and members of the party ahead of the September 21, governorship election in the state. 

Senator Okpebholo in his acceptance  speech made available to newsmen in Abuja on Saturday, February 24, paid special tributes to President Bola Tinubu, APC national chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Edo State APC leader, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, and the people of the state for standing on the side of equity and justice.

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River state and chairman of the election committee on Friday declared Okpebholo winner of Thursday’s rerun governorship primaries in Edo State

Okpebholo polled 12,433 votes to defeat other aspirants who contested the primary election.

Accepting his victory, the APC flag bearer said his candidacy would reclaim Edo State for the party and reunite it with the Government at the Federal Level. 

He acknowledged President Tinubu’s insistence on equity, fairness and justice, as well as the roles by his fellow senators, especially the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, created a level-playing field for him to emerge as candidate of the party. 

Commending, Sen. Adams Oshiomole, the leader of the party in the state despite their initial differences, Okpebholo insisted that the former governor remains his leader adding that he will play a critical role in securing victory for APC in Edo state. 

He said: “Primaries have been won and lost. It is time to begin the real process of saving Edo State from the hands of clueless leaders who have failed to meet the expectations of the people. 

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s role in ensuring a level-playing field must is something I treasure. I want to also appreciate the national chairman of the APC and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) for standing with the people of Edo State. 

“My colleagues in the Senate, especially the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, other aspirants who steppes down for me, APC leaders in Edo State, Edo people who joined in the clamour for a free and fair process, I appreciate you all.

“To my leader, Adams Oshiomhole, I appreciate your guidance over the years. Despite the differences, you remain my leader and I know that you’ll lead the way that will earn us victory in September. 

“In the coming days, we will speak more on developments and carry our people along on a list of things we intend to do that will rescue Edo State from the present quagmire. We deserve better and we will get a better deal.

“Today, the APC family in Edo State has made a bold statement by choosing God over mammon, development over inanities and love over hate. It has been clear to every discerning mind that Edo State has gone on the wrong path of development with the elitist style of governance with little regard to reality. 

“The journey to resetting our dear State by strengthening her HEARTBEAT and actionable development begins now by your reposing confidence in me as the flag bearer of our great party, the APC. I shall leverage on the collective strength of all of us and the passion for a greater Edo 

Read Also: APC NWC issues certificate of return to Okpebholo today

“I am humbly requesting all my brothers and sisters who contested the primaries with me, to put the contest behind and join me in the onerous task of making Edo State heart beat again with development across the broad spectrum of human endeavour.  

“This journey of meaningful development has no respect for tribal and ethnic inclinations nor religious calculations. It is building Edo by Edo people. I will immediately embark on visitation to our political leaders and my co- contestants for unity of purpose. 

“We are all in it together and by God’s grace, our great party, the APC will return to Osadebe Avenue come November this year. I have with due reverence to God and great respect to humanity accepted my nomination as the flag bearer of our great party, the All Progressives Congress. To God be the glory.”