From Fred Itua, Abuja
Factional candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Monday Okpebholo, has revealed that he defeated his closest rival, Dennis Idahosa with over 6,000 votes.
He said though thugs disrupted the collation, the final tally showed that he won convincingly with a commanding majority.
He urged his supporters to remain calm, rest assured that justice would be served at the end of the day. The Edo Central lawmaker in the Senate, said as a candidate of the party, he was certain of returning the state to the APC.
He said: “Let me use this opportunity to thank and appreciate all the APC members in Edo State for nominating me as the party’s candidate for the governorship election in September 2024. I am immensely humbled by the trust and confidence reposed in me.
“You will recall that the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great party, nominated highly reputable officials to officiate in the primary election scheduled for February 17, 2024, with Dr. Stanley Ugboaja, as the state Returning Officer.
“After the primary election, which was adjudged to be very peaceful, the collation of results commenced at the designated centre by the collation officials in the presence of the INEC officials, the press, the law enforcement agencies and other party stalwarts.
“Surprisingly, while the collation of results was ongoing, and upon the declaration of eight local government, some irate thugs allegedly commissioned by my closest rival, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, who had only won two local Governments as against my six, stormed the venue of the state collation centre and disrupted the process by beating up the collation officials, party representatives, the press crew and others.
“To my amazement and that of well-meaning members of our great party in Edo State, the information currently reaching me from Benin City, Edo State, has it that the same thugs led by Tony Kabaka, that disrupted the collation of result as earlier stated, also invaded the state secretariat of the party early this morning, destroyed and looted valuables in the offices in the guise of purportedly looking for the result of the primary election, which was never conducted by the state executives of the party….
“It is now on record that the total votes I scored was 12,145 as against my closest rival, Hon. Dennis Idahosa who scored only 5,536. As a result, I enjoin you not to be deterred by rumours from other quarters as I am very optimistic that justice will prevail at the end. I am convinced that the National Working Committee of our great party, under the leadership of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje will ensure that truth prevails over falsehood. I remain loyal to my party and to Mr. President, a universally acknowledged democrat, and a man of goodwill, who is prepared to change the fortunes of our dear nation.”
“I am also convinced beyond doubt that our great party, the APC, is well positioned to reclaim Edo State, and set her on the part of sustainable and holistic development, in line with Mr. President’s transformation agenda.
“Let me use this medium to plead with all those affected by the unprovoked attack to sheathe their swords as two wrongs can not make a right. This is an in-house squabbles and should be treated as such.”