Posted by Okpebholo criticizes congratulations speech to party National Chairman.
We are ready to win the election – Idahosa
By Ozioruva Aliu.
BENIN CITY — The weekend governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is still enmeshed in controversies, as after Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, who is the chairman of the seven-man election committee for the exercise declared Hon Dennis Idahosa as the winner of the and election, and the Returning Officer of the process, Dr Stanley Ugboajah declared Sen.
Monday Okpebholo as the winner in the private residence of one of the aspirants who earlier stepped down from
Their spokesperson, Ojo Babatunde, stated that Dakeri received 25,84 votes, while Idahosa received 14,127 votes.
With this development, three people, Idahosa, Okpebholo, and Dakeri, are claiming to be APC candidates for the September 21 governorship election.
In his acceptance speech at his campaign office in Benin City, Dakeri stated that he has accepted the party’s nomination as their candidate. “Let me also appreciate the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for ensuring transparency in the conduct of the election.
“I must applaud the efforts of my Campaign team for their perseverance and dedication to the good cause. Thank you so very much. However, I encourage you to rededicate yourself to the next part of the process. We will conquer again, if God so wills.
“At this point, I must recognize my co-contestants and outstanding party members who provided a good challenge throughout the contest. I must remark that your participation contributed to the strengthening of democracy in our party.
You battled valiantly and with enthusiasm. We may have disagreed during the campaigns, which is not uncommon in any election, but our members have reached a decision. There is no victor or vanquished. APC has won. Democracy is the victor.
As a result, I encourage you to join hands with me and fight shoulder to shoulder, with tremendous power and determination, to remove the temporary occupant at Osadebey Avenue – the PDP – in September 2024.
“Although there was a delay in the arrival of election materials, especially in Edo North, I salute the party leadership in rising to the occasion and members who were resolute in their desire to exercise their franchise which they willingly gave to me.”
Idahosa, in his acceptance address, praised the APC’s national leadership, led by Dr Abdulahi Ganduje, and urged all stakeholders to work together to reclaim the state.
He stated, “The APC is unquestionably a truly progressive party, and it has continued to deepen democratic values through popular participation and robust engagements that ensure a level playing field for all.” I now congratulate and thank the leadership and members of our great party for once again setting such a high level.
It has been a difficult political struggle for all aspirants: we have all campaigned across the state to persuade registered party members to back our various dreams, counting down the months, weeks, and days. We have successfully completed the first significant hurdle, the primary election, which has given me the mandate to be the flagbearer of our great party. It is a triumph that I will treasure for the rest of my political life.
“No doubt, this primary election was hotly contested, with eleven other candidates competing against me. I salute all of the state’s political heavyweights. The election did, in fact, reflect the views and desires of the majority of our members across the state’s 192 wards, as evidenced by the outcome. This election has strengthened our party’s internal democratic process and positioned us ahead of other political parties in terms of promoting party cohesiveness for beneficial outcomes.
“For me, this victory is not only for Dennis Idahosa, but for all APC members in the state, as well as the National Headquarters, including my fellow respectable contenders, who have demonstrated a strong dedication to elevating our party.
“With the outcome of this primary, we have made a bold statement about our resolve to return Edo state to APC and I assure you that the great people of Edo State will vote us as their choice for governor on 21 September, from when we will overturn the vicissitudes that have plagued our dear state around, without delay.”
Okpebholo
Meanwhile, Sen. Okpebholo criticized Ganduje’s congratulatory greeting to Idahosa.
Senator Okpebholo, speaking through the Director of Media and Publicity of Senator Monday Okpebholo Governorship Campaign Organisation, Godswill Inegbe, stated that Ganduje, the party’s father and respected leader, could not have issued a congratulatory message in such a short period of time given the controversies and other issues surrounding the results announcement.
Mr Inegbe stated that during his phone discussion with the Chief Press Secretary to the National Chairman of the APC on Sunday morning, Mr Edwin Olofo neither verified nor denied that the remark came from him.
He stated that his principal had full faith in the great party’s national and state leadership to uphold Senator Monday Okpebholo’s victory in the February 17th APC primary poll.