Sen Monday Okpebholo addressing the mammoth crowd of supporters
* As APC declare war against PDP, Obaseki!
By Kingsley Abavo in Benin
Ahead of the September 21 Governorship election in Edo State, the flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator Monday Okpebholo has outlined some of his proposed agenda for the people if elected.
As the Party has declared the war of aggressive campaign marketing its candidates; to stop Governor Godwin Obaseki from replacing himself with what it termed: ‘his replica in the People Democratic Party’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo in Osadebay Avenue.
Addressing the gathering at the launch of the Party’s National Campaign Council on Saturday, 20 July, 2024, Okpebholo noted that “Edo State has never been this divided; we are coming to change it.”
Okpebholo came with the message of bringing restoration to the various sectors of the State which he noted were not working, for the good of the people.
“We are coming to restore our educational system back!
“We are coming to restore the security system back!
“We are coming to restore our infrastructure back!”
As he pointed out; what the Obaseki’s administration prides itself about as EdoBEST; is nothing but ‘Edo jagajaga’ (Edo failure and rottenness).
Stressing that many of the schools under the Obaseki’s administration are under staffed; as in several instances, a school of about 250 pupils, there will be just two teachers and the head teacher.
“These people are scammers! 419 and Yahoo Yahoo! Just imagine the armed robbers we have in the Government House; one armed robber is leaving and he wants to hand over to another one.
“They are nothing but transactional people who have further plunged the State into a huge debt burden of over N500bn,” Okpebholo alleged.
This is against the less than the N15bn Edo State was owing in the administration of Adams Oshiomhole and was even deplored to work for the people as evidence abounds, he said.
A replica of such a Government should again not be voted in the State he urged, with the huge gathering overwhelmingly giving its support in a deafening shout of affirmation.
Accusing the Governor Godwin Obaseki administration for the infamous airport road attack and gun shooting on Thursday, 18 July, 2024, Okpebholo stated: “because our profile is rising everyday, they want to use the barrel of the gun to silence us.
“But nobody can stop us” he asserts; assuring that when the APC ship is finally berthed, it is bringing into the State “a practical governance!”
One which will restore the dignity of the traditional institution in the State he promised adding; that under the Monday Okpebholo and Dennis Idahosa ticket, “a new Edo is rising!”
He assured of a new Edo of equal opportunities for everyone at his or her own pace to strive for greatness; and a Government that would truly work for the people to alleviate their pains and poor state of living.
The APC flag bearer took a swipe at his arch opponent in the PDP; Asue Ighodalo, who he said is poised to follow the footsteps of his ally, Governor Obaseki.
“I understand that the man is not from Edo State and he wants to bring somebody who is coming with an interpreter!
“Somebody who does not reside in the State and would take Edo State businesses and money away to other lands while the people remain hungry.
“We will send them packing and they will pack!
“By the grace of God, September 21 is the D-day; if they give you money, collect it from them because they are going to pay for it.
“They use their hands to cultivate what they want, they take our money so they must answer to the EFCC!”
APC declare war!
It was a realignment of sorts; of all the relevant political big wigs in the State to launch a war of vicious eviction on the Obaseki’s PDP led administration.
The Court reinstated deputy governor of the State, Philip Shaibu led the Dan Orbih headed Legacy Group of the PDP into the realignment with the APC on Saturday.
The returnees, new entrants and old members of the APC in their various speeches, were united in launching an aggressive campaign in a warlike fashion; to stop a replica of the Obaseki administration from remaining in power in Edo.
“On behalf of the Legacy coalition, we have come to join the APC, our home,” Shaibu said.
“It is time to take our State back! And by the grace of God action will speak louder than voice!
“You know we nor dey look for trouble but when e come, we go take am rub body!
“So, this is a clear message to them, we are ready to take our State back!”
The Party national organising secretary Alhaji Sulaiman Argungu asserts that under the Okpebholo and Dennis Idahosa ticket; “we are very optimistic that we will take over Edo State.”
As he urged all members of the Party to go back to their various constituencies to massively mobilize support for the Monday Okpebholo and Dennis Idahosa ticket of the APC.
Smoking Adams Oshiomhole!
Since 1999 two Parties have governed this State; the PDP for 12 years, then I came in for eight years, I think you can see the difference, he asked rhetorically.
Retrospecting on how he governed Edo State, he noted that all his achievements for the people have either been abandoned, or entirely eroded and the State taken back to the woods by the Obaseki’s led PDP administration.
Oshiomhole however assured that the administration of Okpebholo will deploy the time Obaseki has used, in hiring consultants and signing MOUs which he noted do not add any positive value; to work for the good of the State.
Governance he stated; is about having human empathy and you do not have to be a Governor to show that you care.
Hence, running for the Governorship of Edo State, charity should begin at home as he narrates;
When insecurity was threatening the wellbeing of the Esanland and the natives gathered to put up its security architecture, and they were raising funds, the PDP candidate; Asue Ighodalo donated only the sum of a N100,000 while the candidate of the APC, Senator Monday Okpebholo contributed in millions of Naira.
Murder of Okpebholo’s security guard
Oshiomhole wondering why inspector Akor Onuh should be killed without provocation said: “…so I swear, the Commissioner of Police in Edo State is on trial! I urge the CP to defend the integrity of his uniform!”
He added that the masterminds of the dastardly act have murdered sleep and they shall know no peace!
As he recalled; nothing came out of the investigation into the killing of his private secretary while he was Governor, but this one must not be messed up, he vowed!
Saying he was taking it as national assignment, the ever eloquent and fire brand politician and activist declared; “as a Senator, I have the powers of the Senate and I will draw the attention of the Senate through the Senate President to the unprovoked killing of the police body guard of a Senator who is the next Governor of this State!
“The days of oppression are over; let us build a country where no one is oppressed. If a police officer is oppressed, who are you and I?”
Oshiomhole consequently called on the Inspector-general of Police to disband all the State owned security outfits saying; they are being used by the State Government to witchhunt its perceived enemies.
“All the guards in Edo State in the name of vigilante groups, we call on the IG to disband them.”
Oshiomhole urged Edo people to vote for a Governor in the person of Okpebholo who he assured; will not only defend the life and property of those who voted for him but also those who voted against.
“When you become Governor, you shall not empower anyone to oppress another person. Nobody shall kill in your name; if they do, you will handcuff them, you will prosecute them,” he admonished Okpebholo.
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