Edo Governorship: APC chieftain resigns from campaign council for PDP’s candidate, says Okpebholo lacks capacity

A strong member of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Edo State and a member of Senator Monday Okpebholo Campaign Council, Chief Emmanuel Odigie has resigned for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo ahead of the election in September.

The APC chieftain said, Senator Okpebholo lacks capacity and he is incompetent to govern Edo State, hence, he is shifting his support to the PDP, explaining that the adoption of Okpebholo as the governorship candidate by the national headquarters of APC was a mistake.

The former Commissioner in Edo State spoke on Arise TV on Friday, describing Okpebholo as “incompetent”, adding that it was the reason Adams Oshiomhole initially opposed his candidacy.

“It’s true that Edo Central deserves to have the slot this time around but among all the candidates, Ighodalo stands out. Edo people will support him. I’m a member of the APC but I won’t support Okepbholo because he lacks the capacity to lead our state.

On whether Oshiomhole will also support Ighodalo, Odigie who is also a member of Edo Integrity Group said that Adams Oshiomhole being a performing senator who is making them proud in the senate knows what is best for Edo.
“Partisan politics is what is ruining our democracy. It’s ruining our ability to deliver the best to the people. When you see a mediocre being given a ticket as a governor and you say that in the name of partisan politics, the party is supreme and you support that person, it’s the problem of Nigeria. We should stop promoting mediocrity over meritocracy.

On if he’s not engaging in anti-party activity when he is promoting the candidate of an opposition party, he said, “We’ll first do an open letter to the president on why we’re dissociating ourselves from the candidate of the party, Okpebholo, in the best interest of Edo people and Nigeria.

“If APC will ever have a chance in Edo what we do today will determine how the people will view us. If APC is interested in the growth and development and the infrastructural development of Edo this election will determine it. When the Minister of FCT, Nyesom wike declared support for Bola Tinubu in the presidential election, based on principles, what happened? We’re declaring support for Asue Ighadolo based on principle and we’re ready to outline it in that open letter to the president.

“If they want to expel us or suspend us from the party, so be it. It won’t stop us from supporting the Renewed Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. I’m first an Edo man, an Esan man from Edo Central, before APC. I’m more interested in the wellbeing of Edo people than any partisan politics. Nigeria is going through a lot and we cannot afford to hand over Edo into the hands of incompetent people. APC has made a huge mistake by choosing Monday as its gubernatorial candidate,” he added.

On how they’ve planned to work with the Edo government to deliver Ighodalo, he said, “We have no business with the Edo State government, we just want the best for Edo people. We appreciate Obaseki N70,000 minimum wage.

“Officially I’ve resigned from Okpebholo campaign council. I’m still an APC member,” he added.