The National Chairman of the
All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje on Saturday presented a Certificate of Return to the Senator representing Edo Central in the National Assembly, Monday Okpebholo as the Governorship candidate of the party in the September 21 election.
According to him, Okpebholo who emerged as the flagbearer of APC in its just concluded primary election is a refined and sellable candidate and has been congratulated by other contestants.
He therefore called on other aspirants to close ranks and work with him to ensure the party’s victory in the State.
Arise News reports that the Chairman of Election Committee in the rerun Governorship Primaries in Edo State and Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey announced the final result of the exercise in Benin after the collation of results from 18 Local Government Areas.
Senator Okpebholo polled 12,433 votes to defeat 11 other aspirants who contested the primary election.
Ganduje said direct election was held in 192 wards in Edo State with records and video evidence, adding that Okpebholo was declared winner of the primary because he got the highest votes.
He said, “The full cooperation, harmony and unity of all aspirants and members of our party is all we need now to win Edo in the coming election now that the primary is over. The party has a product that is refined, well packaged and sellable to the electorate in the person of Okpebholo and is therefore ready to win Edo.
The Deputy National Organising Secretary of APC, Nze Chidi Duru, while presenting the committee’s report to Ganduje, said the exercise was judged nationally and internationally to be the most peaceful, fairest and transparent in Edo State.
A former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Lucky Imasuen who was also one of the contestants said the National Working Committee (NWC) of APC was hard working, sincere and fair in the handling of the Edo primary.
He commended the APC Edo Governorship Primary Election Committee for a job well done, assuring that the other aspirants would work hand in hand with Okpebholo to ensure APC’s victory in the election.
While calling on members and aspirants to unite ahead of the governorship election in September, Okpebholo paid special tributes to President Bola Tinubu, Ganduje, APC leader in Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole and Edo people for standing on the side of equity and justice.
Okpebholo said with his emergence as the flagbearer, APC will reclaim Edo State and reunite it with the Government at the federal Level.
He said 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 field for him to emerge as candidate of the APC.
According to him, 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 stepped 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.
“We 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.”
Friday Olokor, Abuja
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