Tinubu presents party’s flag to Okpebholo
Says APC on path to victory
Oshiomhole backpedals, congratulates governorship candidate
Kidnappers of Edo PDP chairman silent, Ighodalo, others lament
President Bola Tinubu has said that the All Progressives Congress is on the path to victory in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Edo State.
President Tinubu expressed optimism on Monday in Abuja during the presentation of the party’s flag to the Edo gubernatorial candidate, Monday Okpebholo, and his running mate, Dennis Idahosa.
Addressing a gathering of party stalwarts led by the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, at the State House, the President pledged that the party would stand with the candidates ”like the wall of Gibraltar.”
”If you are happy; we are happy. If you are determined; we are determined. We are going to work with you. We are going to stand with you like the wall of Gibraltar. That is all I can assure you. The party is supreme, but victory is superior and very important,” the President said.
President Tinubu commended the leadership of the party in Edo State for their efforts towards the success of the candidates and the party.
He particularly lauded Senator Adams Oshiomhole, former governor of the state, for his exemplary leadership.
”Distinguished Senator and our flag bearer, we are putting you forward in order to hold the party in trust for us and achieve victory for us. You and your running mate have been described as giant killers, and you have worked tirelessly with the party leadership,” he said.
The President, while inviting Edo State woman leader, Betty Okoebor, to speak on the party’s readiness for the election, reiterated that with the strong support of women, victory is assured.
”If the women say we are going to win, then we are good to go because they constitute the largest number of voters and the most dedicated,” President Tinubu affirmed.
In his remarks, the National Chairman of the APC emphasized the unity of purpose within the party towards achieving victory in the election.
”Our candidate is soft-spoken, focused, and an achiever. He is a product that is highly marketable, and I am confident that with him as our flag bearer, we will bring Edo back to our party,” Ganduje said.
The primary election through which Okpebholo emerged as a candidate has been mired in controversy.
Idahosa was first declared the party’s nominee by the Governor Hope Uzodimma-led committee.
The first round of voting saw the trio of Okpebholo, Idahosa, and Dekeri lay claim to the party’s governorship ticket.
Consequently, the party’s National Working Committee declared the exercise inconclusive owing to several irregularities.
Okpebholo eventually secured victory with 12,433 votes in the February 23 re-run.
Also present at the meeting was the former representative of Edo South in the Senate, Matthew Urhoghide, among others.
In what seems to have finally put to rest the suspicions that Oshiomhole and Okpebholo are not at peace, the former has congratulated Okpebholo on his emergence as the candidate of the party.
Oshiomhole, in a congratulatory message personally signed by him and made available to the press by his senior aide, Victor Oshioke, on Monday, in Abuja, said that Okpebholo’s victory in the primary election was a reflection of the belief of the party members in his unwavering dedication and commitment to the party.
He however urged the APC candidate to put aside the intrigues of the primary poll and extend a hand of fellowship to his co-contestants and all the stakeholders of the party in the state.
Oshiomhole said together the party must forge a strong, united front that resonated with the electorate and secured victory in the Edo governorship election.
The former governor commended Okpebholo for choosing his closest rival in the primary election, Idahosa, as his running mate, saying his decision demonstrated great wisdom and foresight.
Kidnappers of Edo PDP chairman keep mum, Ighodalo, others lament
Meanwhile, the kidnappers of the chairman of the Edo State People’s Democratic Party, Tony Aziegbemi, have yet to contact any members of his family or political associates four days after they whisked him away.
Aziegbemi was abducted by gunmen on Friday at about 11 pm on Idaro Street, off Country Home Road, Benin, Edo State.
He was said to have left a meeting at the Government House and was going home in his vehicle when he was waylaid while his driver was attempting to climb a speed breaker.
A family friend said, “As of now, there has been no contact and I just spoke to my boss who confirmed that the kidnappers have not contacted family members or his associates.
“The family members are as worried as every one of us because they did not also go with his phone, it is with his driver.”
Also, the police spokesman in Edo State, Chidi Nwabuzor, said there was no development yet after the police deployed its tactical team on Saturday to unravel the case.
Meanwhile, condemnations have continued to trail the kidnap of the Edo PDP chairman with the state government saying it was on top of the situation and was working closely with security agencies to ensure his safe release and return to his family.
A statement by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said “We have also increased surveillance and beefed up security measures across the state to ensure that these criminal activities are quelled and culprits are brought to justice.
“We encourage residents to go about their lawful businesses without fear and urge them to call the state emergency numbers 112 or 739 to report all suspicious persons or activities within their environs.
“The government reassures that it is committed to protecting the lives and property of Edo residents and will spare no resources in ensuring that the perpetrators of this dastardly act are apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.”
Also, the governorship candidate of the PDP for the September 21, 2024 governorship election, Asue Ighodalo, has condemned the kidnap of Azeigbemi, describing it as shocking.
In a statement, Ighodalo said, “The news of the kidnapping of the Edo State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, on Friday night, was extremely shocking and distressing.
“I strongly condemn this dastardly act, and my heart goes out to the Aziegbemi family at this very trying time. I join the family in offering fervent prayers for his safe return.
“I also urge the security agencies to continue to spare no effort in investigating the matter and working assiduously for our dear party chairman’s safe release.”
On its part, the Edo State chapter of the Labour Party described the kidnap as worrisome.
The Publicity Secretary of the Edo LP, Sam Uroupa, in a statement attributed the ugly development to the lack of a good security network in the state.
He said, “In spite of the acclaimed security network and alleged empowerment of vigilantes only used for thuggery and intimidation of voters during election, lives and property in the state are not safe.
“For the state chairman of the ruling party in the state to be kidnapped in such a manner is an attestation that Edo State is seriously lacking in the area of security and government that ought to protect the lives and property of her citizenry.
“This kidnap is one kidnap too many in the state which signposts an overt reminder and wake-up call on Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration in the state that all is not well, in terms of securing the state which is the primary responsibility of the government.”
