Edo 2024: APC Flags Off Campaign , Welcomes PDP Defectors
The All Progressives Congress (APC) officially launched its governorship campaign for the upcoming September 21, 2024, gubernatorial election in Edo State. The party welcomed a significant number of defectors from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Omosede Igbinedion, the daughter of Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin, has joined the APC, further strengthening their numbers.
Omosede, a former member of the House of Representatives, rallied her supporters from the Ovia Federal Constituency to join the APC shortly after she submitted her resignation from the PDP.
She attended the Edo South Senatorial District flag-off of the APC governorship campaign, where the APC political leaders criticized Governor Godwin Obaseki’s almost eight years in office. The party’s candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, presented a five-point manifesto focusing on security, infrastructural development, education, agriculture, and water provision.
The rally took place at the Ekheuan Campus of the University of Benin and saw the participation of party leaders from all 77 wards in the Edo South district.
At the rally, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, a former governorship candidate of the party, confidently declared that the PDP’s reign in the state had come to an end. Mr. Charles Idahosa, a former member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP who recently joined the APC, encouraged the people of Edo Central to arrange a debate between Okpebholo and his PDP counterpart, Asue Ighodalo, in their homeland. This debate would allow them to communicate with their people in the Ishan Language and determine who would stumble under pressure.
Idahosa expressed his apologies to the people for his role in Obaseki’s transition from the APC to the PDP. He acknowledged that it was a mistake on his part, highlighting the timeless wisdom of Shakespeare’s words that one cannot judge a person’s intentions based solely on their outward appearance. I represented Obaseki to the PDP. We made an error and will rectify it promptly. According to Idahosa, there is a strong belief that after winning with PDP, the candidate will now face defeat since they have withdrawn their support.
Emperor Jarrett Tenebe welcomed Igbinedion, who arrived with her brothers, Mike and Fred Igbinedion, as the Acting State Chairman of the APC. The train to Osadebey Avenues is departing soon, making stops in Edo Central, Edo North, and returning to Edo South. Passengers are encouraged to board the train promptly to ensure they reach Osadebey Avenue on time.
Omosde Igbinedion explained her decision to leave the PDP, citing the APC’s alignment with her vision for the people of Ovia.
There was a clear focus on the Esan Agenda, and now there is also an emphasis on the Ovia Agenda. The APC has successfully fulfilled the Ovia Agenda by selecting Hon Dennis Idahosa as their deputy governorship candidate, marking a significant milestone for our region. She expressed her excitement.
The former governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, expressed his belief that Igbinedion joining the APC would be beneficial. He encouraged the people to vote against the PDP and its candidate, whom he accused of misrepresenting themselves with false credentials.
In this age of knowledge-seeking, they have allegedly portrayed themselves as technocrats, yet their actions speak otherwise. They have chosen to demolish a library, replacing it with a ShopRite store. Rest assured, our candidate will transform it into a digital library.
It is concerning that a hospital was destroyed in order to make way for a museum where certain artifacts, which rightfully belong to the palace, will be displayed. Our candidate will collaborate with the palace to construct the Benin Royal Museum for the kingdom. He plans to rebuild the Benin Water Storm project and desilt the city to prevent flooding. Oshokomole made a promise,
In a recent development, the court has reinstated deputy governor, Philip Shaibu. In light of this, he has taken the opportunity to address the people, encouraging them not to be intimidated by the PDP and its candidate. Instead, he urges them to unite with him in order to collectively overcome the PDP. On the other hand, the deputy governorship candidate of the APC, Dennis Idahosa, has expressed his perspective on the contest, stating that it is a battle between the youth and the older generation.
Paul Ohonbamu, a former deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, expressed his views on the upcoming election, emphasizing the clash between one individual’s ambition and the well-being of the state.
Obaseki’s performance may be considered subpar, but Ighodalo’s track record is even more disappointing. Obaseki is organizing an event without any items.
