…Candidate calls for peace, reconciliation
…Commends Tinubu, Oshiomhole, Edo people for victory
.Idahosa threatens to sue APC to demand Justice, restore mandate.
…Urges Tinubu to intervene
Despite the protests which greeted the declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo as winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Benin election, the leadership of the party on Saturday issued him a certificate of return making Okpebholo officially the candidate of the party in the September governorship election in Edo State.
An elated Senator Monday Okpebholo, who was overwhelmed with joy, instantly called on APC members in the state and other aspirants who contested the primary election with him to unite in the interest of the party ahead of the governorship election.
Senator Okpebholo, in his acceptance speech, also paid special glowing tribute to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Chairman of the ruling party, Abdullahi Ganduje, APC leader in Edo, Senator Adams Oshiomhole and the entire Edo people for standing on the side of equity, truth and justice.
Chairman of the committee which supervised the rerun election on Thursday in Edo, Senator Bassey Otu, who is also the Governor of Cross River State, announced the final result of the exercise 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.
In his acceptance speech, after receiving the certificate of return on Saturday, Senator Okpebholo said with his emergence as the flag bearer, APC will reclaim Edo State and reunite the state with the government at the federal level.
He particularly commended President Tinubu’s insistence on equity, fairness and justice, as well as the roles played by fellow senators, especially the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, which, he said, helped to create a level-playing field for him to emerge as APC candidate.
He remarked that despite their differences, Senator Adams Oshiomhole remains the leader of the APC in the state and will always play a crucial role in securing victory for APC in Edo State.
According to the candidate: “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 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 development 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.”
He also said that 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.
“I shall leverage on the collective strength of all of us and the passion for a greater Edo. This journey of meaningful development has no respect for tribal and ethnic inclinations nor religious calculations. It is about 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 (this race) together and by God’s grace our great Party APC will return to Osadebe Avenue come November this year.”
