The All Progressives Congress (APC) has challenged Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki to publicly walk with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, through Benin City and other areas of the state. The APC hinted that such a walk could end badly for the governor, suggesting it might result in a “bloody nose.”
This challenge was issued during the inauguration of the local government and ward campaign councils of Oredo Local Government Area, where the APC also addressed internal party matters. The party urged members who were unhappy with the outcome of the gubernatorial primaries, which saw Senator Monday Okpebholo emerge as the APC candidate, to support him in the upcoming elections.
Dennis Idahosa, the deputy gubernatorial candidate for the APC, laid out the party’s agenda at the event. He promised that a new APC government would continue the work of former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, focusing on flood control, rebuilding public schools, addressing insecurity and cultism, and ensuring respect for traditional institutions.
“Adams Oshiomhole has been out of government for eight years now. The current governor is Obaseki, and he has been there for almost eight years,” Idahosa said. “We want Obaseki to take the hand of his candidate, Asue Ighodalo, and walk around the streets of Benin City and other places in the state. Oshiomhole will take the hand of Okpebholo and do the same thing and see what will happen. If Obaseki does not wear a helmet, he will come back bleeding because he is completely disconnected from the people.”
Okpebholo, on his part, assured that if elected, his administration “would not listen to gossip” but instead focus on working for the progress of Edo State. He criticized the PDP candidate, stating that while he could count 30 things he had done for the local government, the PDP candidate could not point to one achievement.
Matthew Uroghide, the Director General of the APC Campaign Council, asserted that the APC has done enough to win the election, highlighting the work of their candidates who are current members of the National Assembly.
Oredo, being the political heart of Edo South, holds significant importance. Uroghide emphasized that many political leaders in Oredo, including himself, are now united under one party, making the APC’s victory almost certain.
In his opening remarks, Osaro Obazee, Director General of the Campaign Council in Oredo, called for unity among members for a successful election. He acknowledged past grievances from the primary election but urged members to put aside personal interests and work together for the party’s success.
“We are not going to adopt the usual way of campaigning,” Obazee said. “We have a new strategy, and we will discuss that in our closed-door meeting.”
