The All Progressives Congress (APC) standard bearer in the Edo state governorship election, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has extended an olive branch to other aspirants, their supporters, and party members in the state.
He called for unity among the leadership and members of the party ahead of the September 21, governorship election in the state.
Senator Okpebholo in his acceptance speech made available to newsmen in Abuja on Saturday, February 24, paid special tributes to President Bola Tinubu, APC national chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Edo State APC leader, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, and the people of the state for standing on the side of equity and justice.
Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River state and chairman of the election committee on Friday declared Okpebholo winner of Thursday’s rerun governorship primaries in Edo State.
Okpebholo polled 12,433 votes to defeat other aspirants who contested the primary election.
Accepting his victory, the APC flag bearer said his candidacy would reclaim Edo State for the party and reunite it with the Government at the Federal Level.
He acknowledged 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 party.
Commending, Sen. Adams Oshiomole, the leader of the party in the state despite their initial differences, Okpebholo insisted that the former governor remains his leader adding that he 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 steppes 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.”
