The reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu; former Governor Adams Oshiomhole and other political bigwigs will today (Tuesday) begin the electioneering campaign for the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, in the state, ahead of the September 21 election.
This was confirmed by the Edo APC Chairman, Jarret Tenebe, in an exclusive phone chat with press on Monday.
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Tenebe added that the campaign train will move to Edo Central on Wednesday where they hope to engage the stakeholders and the electorates at the grassroots level.
“We are kick-starting our campaign from tomorrow and he 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,” he said.
The campaign comes two weeks after the National Working Committee of the APC announced a 197-member list to drive its governorship campaign in the state.
Among the big wigs expected at the campaign tomorrow were Cross River Governor Bassey Out, chairman of the campaign train; Katsina Governor Dikko Radda, co-chairman; Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (Assistant Secretary) and Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
Others were Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo; Ogun Governor, Dapo Abiodun; his counterpart in Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other governors elected on the platform of the APC.
Tenebe also told our reporter that unlike the rumour being peddled by the Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, their candidate has not been evading debates and town hall meetings to interface with the people.
According to the APC chairman, it was a diversionary tactic deployed by the PDP to distract their camp.
He said, “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.
“The PDP has nothing to offer. Also, somebody like Ighodalo will be doing himself a lot of disservice if he keeps telling people he wants to continue from where Obaseki stops.”
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
