Leaders of the Edo State All Progressives Congress held a meeting between Sunday and Monday a t the home of ex-governor Adams Oshiomhole to resolve the internal crisis that emanated from the party’s governorship primary.
The meeting was attended by the APC governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and his running mate, Dennis Idahosa.
Also in attendance were APC leaders from the three senatorial districts of the state.
At the end of the meeting, Oshiomhole declared that the post-primary crisis having been resolved, the APC was poised to win the September 11 governorship election.
This was as the Edo APC also received eight former local government chairmen and members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party into its folds.
The eight ex-LG chairmen were former APC members, who defected to the PDP in 2020 alongside Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The returnees are John Akhigbe of Etsako Central Local Government; Dr Josie Ogedegbe, of Igueben LGA; Frank Ilaboya, Owan West LGA; Andrew Osigwe, Owan East LGA; Napoleon Agbama, Uhunmwonde LGA; Scott Ogbemudia, Ovia North East LGA; Austin Okoibhole, Esan North East, LGA, and Mrs. Ruth Osahor, Esan West LGA.
They pledged their support for the APC towards victory in the September 21 governorship election.
Speaking on their behalf, Ilaboya said, “This is homecoming because I know what you did to me and where I am today is where you put me.
“So, coming back home is special. We are your children and we want to continue with your vision and for the people, driving this project. I can assure you that we are going to work with them to make sure this project is realised.”
Receiving them, Oshiomhole, said, “On behalf of our state chairman, the APC family, and the governor in-waiting, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and his deputy, Honourable Dennis Idahosa, I am very honoured to receive my men. These are people who God used me to mobilise into the ACN and now APC. Some of them have played very critical roles in governance when I was governor. They were local government council chairmen.
“Like every family, sometimes there are misunderstandings or communication gap, which made them to leave tue party, but today, they’ve come to inform us they are moving back home.
“The good news is that this house is so large with many rooms and a big living room which can accommodate everyone, as it has accommodated all of us today without much planning, no logistic is involved and no hiring of canopy.
“So, for me, I am excited that these men have chosen to return home and we’ve all resolved to receive them as if they never left. They will enjoy all rights and privileges that members of APC enjoy.”
Speaking at the peace meeting, Oshiomhole expressed delight over the prevailing unity among all leaders of the party, emphasising the need for all leaders to close ranks and work in harmony.
He said, “We have renewed our collective resolve to work for the peace, progress and sustainable development of Edo State; that is what this election is about.
“Our candidate and his running mate are already fully employed and they already command respect, having won their respective election a year ago. They now want to expand, so that communities across the Edo South, Edo Central and Edo North will have a governor that share their aspirations.
“The good thing about the APC candidates is that they are products of the ballot boxes, transparent election. Okpebholo emerged in Edo Central and Idahosa emerged in parts of Edo South; so, they are not strangers to the ballot and the good news is that they going to contest the election with people who have gone through ballot boxes before.”
Also speaking, a former deputy governor and the leader of the party in Edo Central, Pius Odubu, said, “I am convinced that a new awareness is going to be born. The awareness that in Edo South we are tired of being referred to as the weakest link and with this, I know and I believe that Edo South is going to deliver.
“Go and jubilate as Okpebholo and Idahosa will give us victory in the election. Edo South is APC; we did it for Oshiomhole, we will do it for Okpebholo.”
His counterpart from Edo Central, Maj. Gen. Cecil Esekhaigbe (retd.) said, “The Esan people have been yearning for a period like this. The Esan people have prayed fervently for a day like this. I want to thank everybody from the nooks and crannies of the state. What we wished for was an Esan agenda but it has translated into Edo agenda.”
