From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
The governorship aspiration of the Chairman Senate Committee on Public Procurement, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has received a major boost as the party’s leaders in Ovia North East, where Dennis Idahosa and Lucky Imasuen hailed from, endorsed him as their preferred candidate ahead of the party’s primaries.
Receiving him at the Ovia North East party Secretariat, Hon. Vincent Uwadia, a leader of the party, said Sen. Monday Okpebholo’s achievement at the Senate continue to speak volume of the kind of leadership he represents and stressed that, Edo State in general and Ovia North East in particular needs similar representation.
Highlighting some of his numerous projects within the past seven months of being in the senate, Hon Uwadia said Senator, Okpebholo has continued to show that he is people oriented and moved by a passion to bring rapid development to his people, noting that the state needs someone with such mentality to steer the affair of the state to development.
Hon Uwadia said, “As the day goes by, it is getting very clear to all of us, that your victory at the forthcoming party’s primaries is sure and by extension, your aspiration to become the next governor of the state is almost as good as sealed.
“We want to therefore appeal to you today, that when you become the governor of this our great state, that you do in the entire state and in Ovia North East in particular, what you are presently doing in Edo Central senatorial district.
“We are aware of your many humanitarian services to the people of Esan even before you joined politics and we are also aware of the numerous projects you have undertaken within this your brief stay at the Senate.
“We are aware of the WAEC and JAMB registrations across your district, your youth empowerment programmes, women empowerment programmes, the healthcare, and the many federal intervention programmes you have attracted to Esan.
“We want you to extend this developmental strides to all part of Edo State and that is why we are throwing our weight behind your ambition to clinch the party’s ticket in the forth coming party’s primaries”
Also, party chairman, Mr Oscar Aghedo assured the top aspirant that he has nothing to fear as the leadership of the party in Ovia North East, and the people of the local government are positively disposed towards his political ambition.
According to him, Sen. Monday Okpebholo has proven himself in the Senate and have consistently shown that he has the interest of the people at heart and as such, stands out as the best candidate to bring victory to the APC in the forthcoming Edo 2024 gubernatorial elections and therefore assured him of their support at all time.
Expressing his appreciation for the support and adoption by the party’s leadership at the council, Sen. Monday Okpebholo said his ambition was borne out of a genuine passion to serve the people of the state, rescue the state from its present deplorable state and help bring development to the state.
Sen. Monday Okpebholo noted that, it is high time people begin to hold those coming to seek their support accountable and ask them questions of stewardship.
He said, “this time around, we must not allow anyone bamboozle us with rhetorics and grammar. We all have been privileged to either hold public office or at least, be successful in our private enterprises before now.
“So, don’t allow anyone to just come and promise you heaven and earth without showing you the little they have done before. Let them show you what they have done for their people in their own little capacity.
“For me, giving back to the society has been my lifestyle. Even when I didn’t know I will be wealthy or become an active politician, I reached out again and again to my people and others across the state, empowering them and bringing succour to as many as I can because to me, whatever I have is given to me for the service of others.
“This is my mindset and this is what have birthed all the projects you see and talk about today and I can assure you that as governor of the state, I will do more”, he assured
Speaking further, Senator Monday Okpebholo asked the leaders to be weary of aspirants who disobey and flout party leaders instructions and directives saying “if while they are seeking your support, they can disobey and flout your rules and directives, how much more if they become governor? They will simply take over your positions, and turn you to their appendage.
“We must go for aspirants who respect and hold in high esteem party leaders. I can assure you, that when I become the governor, I will leave politics for politicians and focus on governance. That way, there will be synergy and harmonious relationship between government and the political class”, he said.