• Defectors
• Edo State
• Landslide
• Okpebholo

GOVERNOR OKPEBHOLO PREDICTS APC LANDSLIDE VICTORY IN EDO BY-ELECTIONS AS PDP DEFECTORS SWELL RANKS

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  CapitalTimesNews / 4 months
• 0
• 3 min read

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will secure a massive victory in the upcoming by-elections. He made this declaration while receiving a delegation of defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at Okada, headquarters of Ovia North-East Local Government Area, on Sunday. Chief Press Secretary Fred Itua conveyed this in a statement. Governor Okpebholo emphasized his administration’s commitment to Edo State, attributing it to his indigenous roots. “Why are we working for Edo people? We are working for Edo because we are confirmed sons of the soil. We are not foreigners. We were not borrowed from somewhere else,” he stated. He highlighted his Esan heritage, noting, “My mother is an Esan woman. My father is an Esan man. I grew up there. My deputy, the same Edo. So, if we are from here, we must work for our people.” He contrasted his government’s continuous project execution with the “pattern of the immediate-past government,” which he accused of waiting until election periods to roll out projects. “That is why you see us move from executing one project to another. We do not wait until election period before we roll out projects. We do not believe that we can develop in that manner,” Okpebholo asserted. The Governor also reiterated his confidence in delivering 2.5 million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating, “I can see it coming to reality today.” Okpebholo assured residents they would appreciate his administration’s performance within three years, saying, “By the time we are three years old as a Government, I know people will sit down and thank God. You will thank God for giving us the opportunity to serve.” Addressing the by-election directly, he announced, “In the next few days, I will be coming back here for a campaign to let our people know that the choice for Ovia Federal Constituency is the right choice for the people.” He humorously referred to Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa as “Mr. Projects” and introduced the House of Representatives candidate as “madam projects.” Prominent defectors welcomed into the APC included Hon. Andrew Edobor Uzamere, the sitting member representing Ovia North Constituency II in the Edo State House of Assembly; Hon. Peter Ekhator, a former council chairman; Hon. Uwaifo; Hon. Christopher Igodalo; and their followers. Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa and State APC Chairman Jarrett Tenebe praised Okpebholo’s performance as the reason for the influx of defectors. Speaking for the decampees, Uzamere and Ekhator expressed happiness and pledged commitment to the APC. The event was attended by key stakeholders including Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly Blessing Agbebaku; other assembly members; Chief of Staff to the Governor Hon. Ganiyu Audu; Senator Mathew Urokhide; and former Deputy Governor Chief Lucky Imasuen. Fred Itua signed the statement detailing the event.