Edo governorship election: VP Shettima urges support for APC candidate

By Kunle Sanni

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on the people of Edo State to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo, in the state’s governorship election scheduled for next Saturday.

Speaking at the APC’s grand campaign rally in Benin City on Saturday, held at the University of Benin Sports Complex, Shettima emphasized the need for leadership that can transform the state.

He described Okpebholo as a “strategic thinker, builder, and a man of the people” who can bring about a functional and progressive Edo State.

The rally marked the final push for the APC ahead of the election.

“Whether you are a civil servant or a trader, whether you are Esan or Afemai, whether you are a Christian or a Muslim, whether you are young or old, male or female, our expectations are the same.

“We all seek the same thing – a functional Edo State, a state that can provide opportunities for all of you to thrive. What unites us most is not our differences but our collective desire for a nation that works, a state that meets our needs,” Senator Shettima told the crowd at the campaign ground.

The Vice President, who highlighted the recent improvement in revenue allocation to all tiers of government, called on the people of Edo to vote massively for the APC in order to benefit from the wave of positive change.

“I assure you that this is the best time to be a Governor in Nigeria. The economic reforms of the past year, though tough, have laid the groundwork for better opportunities ahead.

“With increased allocations to the states, your incoming government will have more resources to fund programmes and projects that benefit you,” the Vice President assured Edo people.

VP Shettima emphasized that Senator Okpebholo, the APC candidate in the September 21 Edo governorship election, is the most qualified to lead the state.

He continued: “What Edo State needs is a strategic thinker, a builder, a man of the people – someone who can rally the great people of Edo State. Edo State needs a man who will open his doors to the people, hear their concerns, and lead with the fear of God. Edo does not need a leader who knows it all; Edo needs a man who feels the pulse of his people, understands their struggles, and has a story to tell.”

“Edo needs a compassionate leader, one who is in tune with the yearnings and aspirations of the people. Edo needs a leader with the tenacity and knack for radical change. To quote Ronald Reagan, ‘The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one who gets people to do the greatest things.’

“With Senator Monday Okpebholo and his running mate, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, we have two gentlemen who will complement each other and lead Edo State toward positive change. Their humility, which has brought them this far, will reflect in their governance,” Shettima added.

The Vice President also assured that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is working to bring more relief to flood disaster victims across the country.

Shettima expressed confidence that with unity of purpose, Nigeria can overcome its challenges, citing the recent devastating floods in Borno, Niger, and other states.

“Let me assure you that our government is working tirelessly to bring relief to affected communities. We are mobilizing resources, coordinating relief efforts, and implementing measures to mitigate the impact of future floods.

“This is not a time for politics but for unity and compassion. As we rebuild, we do so with the strength of our shared humanity and the belief that together, we can overcome any adversity,” he said.

In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, echoed VP Shettima’s sentiments and urged the people of Edo to vote for the APC to benefit from further dividends of democracy.

He disclosed that N212 billion has been allocated for the reconstruction of the Auchi-Benin road, which, when completed, will boost economic activities in Edo State.

“The presence of many governors and dignitaries here shows our unity of purpose in helping Edo State take a new direction. We have governors from the North, East, South, and West here. Aligning with the party at the center will be beneficial for the development of Edo State,” Akpabio stated.

APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, said the people of Edo State have suffered under the past administration and need liberation.

He declared that Monday Okpebholo is the right person to lead the state to the promised land.

Ganduje said, “In the last eight years, Edo State has suffered in terms of infrastructure, security, and general development. Benin should be a modern city, but it requires someone like Monday Okpebholo to elevate the state.”

The APC National Chairman also welcomed defectors from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including a former senator, the governorship candidate of Action Alliance for Edo State, and the organizing secretary of the Labour Party.

Chairman of the APC National Campaign Council for Edo 2024, Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State, urged Edo people to change direction and build on the legacies of former Governor Adams Oshiomhole to improve lives in the state.

Former Governor Oshiomhole praised Vice President Shettima for his humility, loyalty, and judgment, while criticizing the poor performance of the outgoing governor.

He said: “Governance is about development; our roads and infrastructure are dilapidated. Education has suffered. Because the state does not have a State Universal Basic Education Board, the Governor has been benefiting from the Universal Basic Education Commission’s funds.”

The APC governorship candidate, Senator Okpebholo, called for support to change the course of Edo State.

“We will provide loans to farmers through cooperatives, and soft loans to market women. We will employ over 5,000 teachers within my first 100 days in office. We will build health centers across the 192 wards in Edo and declare a state of emergency on education,” he promised.

Other dignitaries present at the rally included Governors Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara), Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Usman Ododo (Kogi), and Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), as well as National Assembly members from Edo State and party stalwarts.