Edo Guber: APC candidate calls for reconciliation ahead of election

The All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo has called for reconciliation of fellow contestants ahead of election scheduled for September, 2024.

Okpebholo defeated other 11 contestants in a rescheduled primary election on Thursday, having polled 12,433 votes.
In his acceptance speech, the lawmaker representing Edo Central Senatorial District said, unity among contestants was in the interest of the party for the greater prize in the upcoming September governorship election in the State.

He commended President Bola Tinubu, National Chairman of the APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje and the former governor of Edo State, Senator Adams Oshiomhole and Edo people for their commitment to justice and equity in the course of the primary election.

APC’s primary election was dotted with confusion with Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma as Chairman of the election Committee, until he was replaced with the governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu, who concluded the exercise.

He expressed confidence that with him as the flag bearer of the APC, Edo State was set to be reclaimed, to be on same page with government at the centre.

He attributed the level playing field to President Tinubu, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and other Senators’ insistence on equity, fairness and justice.

The candidate acknowledged challenges in the exercise, but said, Oshiomhole remains his leader and believed that he will play a critical role in securing victory at the polls in September.

“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 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 stepped 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.

“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.
“W 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.”