According to Channels Television, Ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Adams Oshiomhole, has expressed confidence in his party's prospects of winning. Speaking after a visit to President Bola Tinubu at the State House on Friday, Oshiomhole declared that the APC’s candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, is well-positioned to defeat his opponent, Mr. Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
"Why should we even bother about shortcuts? Any day, we would defeat Asue Ighodalo," Oshiomhole told journalists, indicating his belief in Okpebholo’s chances in the upcoming polls.
Oshiomhole’s visit to the Presidential Villa was to brief President Tinubu on the APC's ongoing campaign efforts in Edo State. He was accompanied by Okpebholo and his running mate, emphasizing the party’s aggressive strategy in mobilizing support. Oshiomhole highlighted the defections from the PDP to the APC as a sign of growing momentum.
"We went with the candidate and the running mate to give the President an update on the campaigns. We are harvesting more and more people every day," Oshiomhole remarked. He claimed significant defections, notably from the Egor Local Government Area, where he asserted that all PDP members had switched allegiance to the APC.
Addressing the internal turmoil within the PDP, Oshiomhole dismissed allegations that the APC had a hand in the crisis following the invalidation of the PDP governorship primary. He argued that the situation was purely an internal issue of the PDP, unconnected to any external influence by the APC.
“So what power do I have? How can we, a non-state group, have power to influence a seasoned politician to move against themselves?” Oshiomhole questioned. He emphasized that political parties must adhere to internal regulations and the Electoral Act to ensure fairness in their primary processes.