The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State is set to launch its electioneering campaign for the upcoming governorship race, with reinstated Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, and other prominent political figures leading the charge. The campaign for Senator Monday Okpebholo, the party’s governorship candidate, officially kicks off today (Tuesday), ahead of the September 21 election.
This development was confirmed by Edo APC Chairman, Jarret Tenebe, in an exclusive conversation with PUNCH Online on Monday. Tenebe also disclosed that the campaign will move to Edo Central on Wednesday, where they plan to engage directly with grassroots stakeholders and voters.
“We are kick-starting our campaign from tomorrow, and he [Okpebholo] will be addressing many people. After tomorrow, he will be in Edo Central to also address the people along with our party bigwigs,” Tenebe stated. “People like Adams Oshiomhole, the Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, and others are already in town.”
The campaign launch comes just two weeks after the APC’s National Working Committee announced a 197-member team to spearhead its governorship campaign in the state. The campaign trail is set to include a number of high-profile political figures, such as Cross River Governor Bassey Otu, who will chair the campaign, and Katsina Governor Dikko Radda, who will serve as co-chairman. Other notable attendees expected at today’s launch include Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo, Ogun Governor Dapo Abiodun, and Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, among others.
Amid the preparations, Tenebe dismissed rumours propagated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, that Okpebholo has been avoiding debates and town hall meetings. He categorically refuted these claims, labelling them as a diversionary tactic aimed at distracting the APC’s campaign efforts.
“It is not true. I told you earlier that we have not received any proposal or letter inviting Okpebholo to any debate. Our candidate, Okpebholo, has been reaching out to people in the state. He has been in different fora since the beginning of his campaign,” Tenebe explained. “There is no way anybody, including the PDP, can say Okpebholo is running away from his responsibilities and not attending town hall meetings. The PDP should be more concerned about having a candidate to compete in the election. They should be worried about how to stop our candidate from winning the governorship election.”
Tenebe further criticised the PDP, asserting that the party has little to offer and advising its candidate, Ighodalo, against claiming continuity from Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration.
With the campaign now in full swing, the APC is clearly mobilising its resources and heavyweight supporters in a bid to secure victory in the upcoming gubernatorial election, setting the stage for what promises to be a fiercely contested race.
