Ahead of the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State, All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders said they have put behind all the disagreements that arose before and during its primary election and that the party is more united than before.
The meeting which was held at the Benin residence of Senator Adams Oshiomhole, on Tuesday, was the first party gathering since the conclusion of APC governorship primary election which produced Senator Monday Okpebholo as its candidate and Rt. Hon Dennis Idahosa as his running mate.
The leaders were selected from the three senatorial districts of the state.
Speaking at the meeting, Oshiomhole expressed delight over the unity of purpose among the party leaders, emphasising the need to close ranks and work harmoniously.
He said “We have renewed our collective resolve to work for the peace progress and sustainable development of Edo State, that is what this election is about, the two candidates (governorship candidate and his running) are already fully employed so they are going to the election because they are looking for job, they are elected, they already command respect with those elected a year ago, they now just want to expand so that the Edo communities across the Edo South, Edo Central and Edo North will have a governor that share their aspiration.
“The good thing about the APC candidates, is that they products of the ballot boxes, transparent election under BIVAS Okpebholo emerged in Edo Central and Idahosa emerged in parts of Edo South so they are not strangers to the ballot and the good news to us is that they going to contest the election with people who have gone through ballot boxes before.”
On his part, former deputy governor and the leader of the party in Edo Central Rt. Hon, Pius Odubu, said “I am convinced that a new awareness is going to be born, the awareness that in Edo south we are tired of being referred to as the weakest link and with this I know and I believe that Edo South is going to deliver. Go and jubilate that Monday Okpebholo and Dennis Idahosa will give us victory in the election. Edo south is APC, we did it for Oshiomhole, we will do it for Okpebholo.”
His counterpart from Edo Central, Major General Cecil Esekhaigbe (rtd), said “The Esan people have been yearning for a period like this, the Esan people have canvassed for an experiment like this, the Esan people have prayed fervently for a day like this, I want to thank everybody from the nooks and crannies of Edo State that what we wished as an Esan agenda has translated into Edo agenda.”
