Ahead of the February 17 primary election, a former Governor of Edo state, Senator Oserheimen Osunbor has warned the mistakes which made the All Progressives Congress (APC) to lose the State to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2020 must not be allowed to afflict the party a second time.
He added that for the ruling APC as a party, Edo State is a low-hanging fruit.
Osunbor disclosed this Thursday in Abuja after obtaining Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms, adding that for many APC stakeholders in the state, the coming election was a must win for Edo APC.
His words: “For many of us, this coming election is a must win for Edo State APC. No impediment, no matter how contrived and from whatever source, can stop our great party APC from reclaiming Edo in 2024.
“The mistakes which made APC to lose the State to PDP in 2020 must not be allowed to afflict us a second time. For APC as a party, Edo State is a low-hanging fruit.
“We must not lose this opportunity to reclaim it with me as a candidate. My popularity and acceptability spread across the three Senatorial Districts of Edo State and even beyond APC.”
Osunbor noted that his supporters and the people across Edo State would be elated and relieved to see him joining the race.
He noted: “Edo people are yearning for good governance. They want to see Edo State resources being used to develop the State and transform the lives of the people for the better.
“They are waiting to give me a resounding victory in the September 21 governorship election. They remember very well my excellent performance as governor for 17% months from 2007 to 2008 and want to see me back in Osadebe Avenue as governor — hence I have christened my Manifesto: the rebirth of edo for excellence.”
“Now we have taken the first step. We will not look back. Rather, we are looking forward to the direct primaries promised us by the leadership of the party. I am confident that the party will conduct proper primaries, devoid of undue influence and manipulations. By the grace of God our victory is sure.”
Osunbor noted that if Edo could yield good result when he was the governor between 2007 and 2008, he said he would do far better than he did before.
He added: “But in summary, if Edo could yield good results in 2007 till 2008, I assure: you that the rebirth of Edo for excellence will do far than we did before.”
Osunbor was of the opinion that zoning and rotating of political office are not the same.
His words: “For me rotation is somewhat different from zoning, if you look at the national level, there is rotation of the presidency between North and South and it’s been working very well, once it is rotated other positions are zoned.
“So, I believe in the principle of rotation and zoning, people confuse the two but for me they are not exactly the same.
“But in Edo I believe they should be rotation amongst the three senatorial districts of the state, having rotated across senatorial districts you will then zone all other positions, where the Deputy, Speaker and others will come from.
“And i believe it’s a good thing, it inculcates a sense of belonging, oneness, unity and sense of inclusion and I think a country like Nigeria needs that kind of spirit in other to forge national unity.”
Meanwhile, the ruling party has generated N500 million from the sale of Nomination and Expression of Interest forms for 10 governorship aspirants so far that have picked the forms.
Those that have obtained the form so far include; Prince Clem Agba, Monday Okpebholo, Hon. Lucky Imasuen, Hon. Anamero Dekeri, Pastor Osagie Andrew Izr-Iyamu, Gideon Ikhine, Col. David Onabure Imuse and Major. General Charles Airhiavbere (rtd).