*Pays tributes to Tinubu, Oshiomhole, Edo people
By Jude Opara, Abuja
Senator Monday Okpebholo, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, has called on aspirants and members of the party to unite ahead of the election.
Sen. Okpebholo in his acceptance speech after his declaration, paid special tributes to President Bola Tinubu, national chairman of the party, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, APC leader in Edo, Sen. Adams Oshiomhole and entire Edo people for standing on the side of equity and justice.
Chairman of election committee in Thursday’s rerun governorship primaries and governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu announced the final result of the exercise in Benin after the collation of results from the18 Local Government Areas.
Sen. Okpebholo polled 12,433 votes to defeat 11 other aspirants who contested the primary election.
He said with his emergence as the candidate, the APC will reclaim Edo State and reunite it with the government at the federal level.
The flag bearer added that 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 ground for him to emerge as candidate of the APC.
He said despite the initial differences, Adams Oshiomhole remains his leader and 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
“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.”
