Edo State Governorship Election: APC’s Final Campaign Rally Attracts Top Dignitaries

The All Progressives Congress (APC) held its final campaign rally for the Edo State governorship election, drawing a large crowd of party faithful to the University of Benin Indoors Sports Complex, Ugbowo Campus. The rally saw the attendance of top dignitaries, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Cross River State Governor Bassey Edet Otu, Ondo State Governor Lucky Oyedatiwa, and others.

Vice President Shettima, addressing the crowd, emphasized the need for a strategic thinker, builder, and compassionate leader to govern Edo State. He highlighted that intelligence is not determined by the size of one’s head, but by the ability to solve problems that affect people. Shettima expressed confidence in Senator Monday Okpebholo and his running mate, Dennis Idahosa, to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

Senate President Akpabio echoed Shettima’s sentiments, stating that he believes in the capacity of Okpebholo and Idahosa to deliver on their electoral mandate. Akpabio stressed that he doesn’t need someone who can speak “grammar” but one who can perform, and that Okpebholo has been living up to his billings in the National Assembly.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North Senatorial District, criticized Governor Godwin Obaseki’s eight-year tenure, stating that he has been insensitive to the plights of the people. Oshiomhole lamented that the markets that were burnt during Obaseki’s tenure were not rebuilt, and instead, the hospital and state library were converted into museums and shopping malls.

Party national chairman, Umar Ganduje, accused the state of being mismanaged for the past eight years, plagued by insecurity and unemployment. He urged the people to take back their state by voting for the APC. Ganduje emphasized that the state is in safe hands with Okpebholo and Idahosa, who are lawmakers.

Senator Monday Okpebholo, the governorship candidate, pledged to employ 5,000 teachers within his 100 days in office and provide soft loans to market women to boost their businesses. He also promised to build primary healthcare facilities around the 192 wards in the state.

The rally also saw the decamping of former Senator Francis Alimikhena and former member representing Oredo federal constituency, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC. Alimikhena expressed his intention to mobilize his followers to vote for the APC in the forthcoming governorship election.

Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama criticized the PDP for its decision to bring in Governor Godwin Obaseki through the back door in 2020 and again in 2024. He advised the national working committee to stop impunity and for all those who supported it to come with their voter cards on Saturday.

The rally marked a significant step in the APC’s campaign, as the party looks to reclaim the governorship of Edo State in the upcoming election.