A former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Adams Oshiomhole, has assured that the party’s governorship candidate for the September 21, 2024, election, Senator Monday Okpebholo, will succeed the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) Governor Godwin Obaseki on November 12 this year.

He assured that Okpebholo, the representative of Edo Central Senatorial District, and his running mate, Dennis Idahosa, who represents Ovia constituency in the House of Representatives, would be the youngest set of persons to govern Edo.

Oshiomhole, an ex-Edo governor, who represents Edo North senatorial district, spoke on Saturday at Crown Heights Pavilion, Country Home Road, off Sapele Road, Benin, at the carnival-like defection into APC of many bigwigs of PDP and Labour Party (LP).

The defectors includeincludeed a lawmaker in the 8^th and 9^th Senate for Edo South senatorial district, Matthew Urhoghide; a former Clerk of the National Assembly, Patrick Giwa, who hails from Owan West Local Government Area of Edo; and other top politicians.

Urhoghide was immediately made the Director-General of Okpebholo/Idahosa Governorship Campaign Organisation, ahead of the April 24 commencement of campaigns in Edo.

The event was also attended by a former deputy governor of Edo, Dr. Pius Odubu; the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, who represents Owan constituency of Edo state; and the governorship candidate of APC during the September 19, 2020 poll, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu; among other eminent politicians.

Oshiomhole, who publicly apologised to Urhoghide for their earlier political disagreements, the mistakes he made and the errors he committed, asking for his forgiveness.

The leader of APC in Edo (Oshiomhole) said: “The PDP’s government of Obaseki has been underdeveloping Edo State for almost eight years. APC’s administration from November 12, 2024, by God’s grace, will right the wrongs, and ensure good governance.

“Joining APC today of the chieftains of PDP, LP and their teeming supporters in Edo State means so much to us. Together we will deliver the youngest governor and deputy governor in Edo State. Let us have a fighting spirit.

“It is not when you join a political party that matters, but what you are bringing to the table. Let us work together to reclaim Edo State.”

The former national chairman of APC also assured that the party’s governorship candidate defeating Obaseki-backed Dr. Asue Ighodalo, and LP’s Olumide Akpata, among others, was doable, with the right strategies put in place, without APC’s stakeholders entertaining any fear, but vigorously campaigning in the 192 wards, across the 18 LGAs of Edo.

Urhoghide, in his remarks, stated that he returned to APC after 13 years of sojourn in PDP, in view of the trust and confidence he had in the leadership of APC.

The former Senator (Urhoghide) said: “I have come back to the fold of mature politicians, in order to help build the APC. I did not come for bread and butter. All the stakeholders must come together, for APC’s governorship candidate to emerge victorious on November 12, 2024.

“I have accepted my nomination as the DG of Okpebholo/Idahosa Governorship Campaign Organisation. The task is huge, but surmountable.

“It is not going to be an easy journey, but by the grace of God, we will win the governorship election. I will need the support of everybody to achieve victory.

“We will make promises during the campaigns, and the promises will be fulfilled. That’s why my people in Edo South Senatorial District nicknamed me ‘The Promise Keeper.’

“Edo North, where Senator Oshiomhole hails from, is almost settled. In Senator Okpebholo’s Edo Central, we do not need an interpreter, as the candidate of one of the other political parties. Edo South, where I, Idahosa, Obaseki, Olumide Akpata, and Osarodion Ogie (deputy governorship candidate of PDP) hail from, will be a battleground, but APC will emerge victorious.” (Sunday Telegraph)

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