Oshiomhole, Others Begin Campaign Today
Philip Shaibu, the reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, alongside former Governor Adams Oshiomhole and other prominent political figures, is set to kick off the electioneering campaign for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, in Edo State today (Tuesday). The campaign marks the beginning of the push for the upcoming September 21 election.
This development was confirmed by the Edo APC Chairman, Jarret Tenebe, in a telephone interview on Monday. Tenebe mentioned that the campaign train will move to Edo Central on Wednesday, where they aim to engage stakeholders and grassroots electorates.
Tenebe stated, “We are kick-starting our campaign from tomorrow, and he [Senator Okpebholo] will be addressing many people. After tomorrow, he will be in Edo Central to also address the people along with our party bigwigs. People like Adams Oshiomhole, the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, and others are already in town.”
This campaign launch comes two weeks after the National Working Committee of the APC announced a 197-member team to spearhead its governorship campaign in the state. Key figures expected at the campaign include Cross River Governor Bassey Otu, who serves as the campaign chairman; Katsina Governor Dikko Radda, the co-chairman; Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the Assistant Secretary; and Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Other notable attendees include Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo; Ogun Governor Dapo Abiodun; Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and other governors elected on the APC platform.
Tenebe also addressed rumors circulated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, claiming that Okpebholo has been avoiding debates and town hall meetings. He dismissed these allegations as a diversionary tactic by the PDP.
He stated, “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. So 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 fill for the election. They should be worried about how to stop our candidate from winning the governorship election.”
Tenebe further criticized the PDP, asserting that their candidate, Asue Ighodalo, would be doing himself a disservice by claiming he intends to continue from where the current Governor, Godwin Obaseki, left off.
