APC Launches Campaign Council for Edo Governorship Election

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Umar Ganduje, inaugurated the party’s national campaign council for the 2024 governorship election in Edo on Saturday. The council, led by Governor Bassey Ottu of Cross River, is tasked with reclaiming the state from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the upcoming September 21 off-cycle election.

Ganduje expressed enthusiasm about the recent defection of Edo’s Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, to the APC, stating this move has strengthened the party’s influence in the state. He called on the campaign council to mobilize at the local government and unit levels to secure votes.

“A flag-off rally will soon be organized so that President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be in Benin-City,” Ganduje announced. He emphasized that the incoming governor and his deputy have a concrete development blueprint for Edo state, moving away from mere memorandums of understanding.

Ganduje also highlighted the importance of aligning the state with the federal center for full political participation and the dividends of democracy. He urged voters to support the APC candidates, Sen. Monday Okpebholo and his running mate, Dennis Idahosa.

Commending the Oba of Benin for maintaining peace, Ganduje assured that the incoming APC government would respect the traditional council under the Oba.

Sen. Okpebholo criticized the current Governor, Godwin Obaseki, for increasing the state’s debt from ₦43 billion to over ₦500 billion since taking office in 2016. He promised to restore infrastructure, education, and security in Edo.

APC’s State Chairman, Jarret Tenebe, and former governor Sen. Adams Oshiomhole also spoke at the event, urging the party to rescue Edo from the PDP. Oshiomhole called for a comparison of APC and PDP governance in Edo, emphasizing APC’s empathy and practical governance.

Oshiomhole also addressed the killing of Insp. Onu Akon, the police aide of Sen. Okpebholo, and demanded a thorough investigation. He called on the Inspector-General of Police to disband the State Security Network, alleging it has become an oppressive tool for the state government.

Governor Ottu of Cross Rivers, chairman of the campaign council, vowed to secure victory for the APC in the September 21 election.