Edo 2024: Oshiomhole inaugurates APC Campaign Council as party chieftain dumps party candidate
BENIN CITY — THE Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday evening inaugurated its Campaign Council for the September 21st governorship election. It promised Victory and urged all members of the party to see themselves as members of the Council.
Former governor of the state and chairman of the Campaign Council, Sen Adams Oshiomhole while inaugurating the campaign council said that titles do not matter and urged every members of the party in the state to work hard to win their units and wards, adding “every member is canvasser.
“If it requires me to take the role of a sweeper, I will sweep Senator Monday Okpebholo into office as governor.”
On his part, the Director General of the Campaign Council, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, expressed joy on the inauguration and urged members to work hard, as the task of defeating a government in power was huge.
He urged party members to resolve their differences and work hard for the victory of the party.
Earlier, State Chairman of the APC, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, acknowledged late Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, Prof. Ambrose Alli and Comrade governor Adams Oshiomhole as three governors who provided good governance for the state.
Shortly after the inauguration, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State and the Director of Communication and Media of the APC 2020 Governorship Campaign Council John Mayaki on said he would not support the governorship candidate of the party, Senator Monday Okpebholo in the September polls.
Mayaki said this at a Roundtable with Friends in the media in Benin City.
In a statement titled 2024 Governorship Election: Party Supremacy, Competence, and the Future of Edo State, Mayaki said the Edo governorship election should not be about party but about competence of the candidates.
He said “My candidate is the man we can all trust. The man who has networks and connections both home and abroad. The man with ‘moral’ or ethical reputation, not a novice to governance system.
“This man is not of the APC stock because irrespective of party supremacy, the future of Edo state is more supreme in my heart. My first commitment is to the state while the party is secondary.
“Let’s not forget that the measure of a leader’s skills refers to the required leadership abilities, from the communicative to the managerial and cognitive. Does the leader know what to do as a leader at every point in time? Is he always available? Does he have vision and good understanding of what to do? If he does, does he have the required skills and political will to do same? I have assessed all the candidates and have come to the conclusion that the candidate I will campaign for has all these qualities in abundance.
“The strength of a leader’s vision, the methods he employs in driving the vision, his communication and ensuing goodwill and popularity, all add up.
“Remember some leaders have great communication skills and popularity, but not the vision but the man am going to support has all these in abundance. Many other leaders are also known to have vision but lack all other leadership skills. The candidate of my choice is a visionary leader with enviable leadership skills. I mean a serious minded candidate.”
Mayaki while calling on Edo people to embrace the candidate who has demonstrated competence and the ability to govern the state, regardless of party affiliation, in the upcoming September 21st governorship election in Edo State, noted also that as a committed progressive he will not hesitate to react negatively when presented with a candidate who has no clear ideology or manifesto, and likely to set the state back 20 years.
“For me therefore, I have made up my mind to commit myself to encouraging my numerous supporters across the state, especially in my local government area, ward, and unit, that they vote for the candidate who will best develop the state, regardless of political affiliation. I mean a man who has the carriage, clout and charisma befitting of a governor”, he declared.”
