Okpebholo receives certificate of return, praises NWC for transparent primaries

By Jude Opara, Abuja

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdulahi Ganduje on Saturday described
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdulahi Ganduje on Saturday described the party’s governorship candidate for the September 21 Edo state election, Sen. Monday Okpebholo as a reliable flag bearer who is sure of winning the election.

Ganduje spoke while presenting the certificate of return to Okpebholo as the winner of the primary election which held across the state on Thursday.

The National Chairman equal explained the incident that compelled the party to order a rerun of the primary election after the February 17 exercise produced three candidates all claiming to have been duly elected.

He said: “Three aspirants were declared as “candidates” That process was not concluded and I asked the Committee to go back. Coincidentally, the chairman of the Committee, Governor Hope Uzodinma had a presentation to make at the National Economic Council and that’s why he could not go back to conclude the exeUzodinm

“That was why his deputy, Governor Bassey Otu of Cross Rivers State became the new chairman, I am happy to tell you that as we directed, as we monitored, the Direct Primaries took place in 192 wards. We have the record, the results were collated in each local government and the results are with us. The results were announced after collation. As a result, Senator Okpebholo scored the highest votes and was therefore declared the winner”.

The National Chairman further expressed satisfaction that most of the other aspirants have accepted defeat and congratulated the candidate, even as he assured that those that are still angry would soon be pacified.

“What is important to us is to win Edo state. We knew what happened in the past, but now we are in the way to win that election, because we believe that we have a product that is sellable, refined, well packaged, a product that we can deliver”.

In his acceptance speech, the candidate, Sen. Okpebholo while thanking the party stakeholders for believing in him also extended the hand of fellow to all his co-aspirants to joim hands with him to ensure that the party wins the election.

He also thanked President Bola Tinubu for renewing the hope of party faithful by rendering quality leadership as well as the entire members of the National Working Committee (NWC) for their dedication and sincerity of purpose in the conduct of the primary election.

My great respect goes to our party National Chairman and the indefatigable team of the National Working Committee (NWC), our political leaders in Edo State led by Comrade Senator Adams Oshiomhole who have piloted the affairs of our great party, the APC through thick and thin.

“Today the APC family in Edo State has made a bold statement by choosing good over evil, 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 with actionable development begins today by your reposing confidence in me as the flag bearer of our great party, the APC.

“This journey of meaningful development has no respect for tribal and ethnic inclinations nor religious calculations. It is about building Edo by Edo people”.

Also speaking, the acting Chairman of the APC in Edo state, Also speaking, the acting Chairman of the APC in Edo state, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe assured the party that they have chosen the right candidate that will lead in the quest to reclaim the state.

Tenebe said Okpebholo is more qualified than the candidates of the two other contending parties; the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asuelimen Ighodalo and the Labour Party (LP), Barr. Olumide Akpata.