According to the report from the Sun, President Bola Tinubu welcomed the All Progressive Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Monday Okpebholo, along with his running mate, Hon Dennis Idahosa, the leader of the APC in Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, and the Minister of Niger Delta Development, Abubakar Momoh, among others at the State House, Abuja, on Friday. The delegation updated the President on the party’s campaign activities.
Adams Oshiomhole, speaking to State House Correspondents after the meeting, expressed confidence in the APC's victory in the upcoming governorship election. He cited internal crises within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state as a contributing factor.
Oshiomhole refuted allegations that the APC was behind the crisis leading to the invalidation of the PDP governorship primary, stating, "The crisis was an internal affair of the PDP, which had nothing to do with the APC."
Regarding the purpose of the visit and the party's standing for the upcoming election, Oshiomhole said, "We went with the candidate and the running mate to give the President an update on the campaigns and the fact that we are harvesting more people every day decamping."
Minister of Niger Delta Development, Abubakar Momoh, echoed the APC's confidence, asserting that the party's candidate, Okpebholo, had already secured significant support in Edo North and Central Senatorial Districts, with the South Senatorial District being the only contested area.
Momoh elaborated, "The ruling party’s candidate already has Edo North and Central Senatorial Districts locked down. The South Senatorial District will be the only battleground where the three parties will share votes."
Momoh further highlighted the field advantage of the APC over the PDP and Labour Party’s candidate, Olumide Akpata, stating, "Edo North is a no-go area because my leader, myself, and a host of others, including Dan Orbih, who’s coming from the legacy group, are from Edo North.
Anytime, any day, we can maximally deliver Edo North. Edo Central is certain to be swept by our candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, who is a homeboy. He’s the first person elected as a Senator outside the PDP cycle since 1999."
Momoh emphasized the local appeal of Okpebholo, adding, "He’s loved by the people. They will vote for him because he speaks to them in their dialect, unlike the other candidates. The Esan people prefer to vote for someone who understands their language and culture, rather than feeling like a stranger in the government house on Osadebe Avenue."