Ahead of the 21st September Edo governorship election, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Monday Okpebholo has described the governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ighodalo Asuerinme, Okumide Akpata of Labour party and other contestants as baby politicians who believe that speaking fine English will translate to victory.
He said they would teach them a lesson they would never forget on election day.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday announced that political parties are now permitted to start campaigning in public from Wednesday 24th April 2024 and end at midnight on Thursday 19th September 2024.
However, Okpebholo in a statement issued Wednesday by his media office assured that he would not disappoint or deceive Edo people.
He noted: “As the campaign kick-off, I urge our supporters to remain calm and focused. They should not allow anyone to provoke them. I am assuring them we will win this election and take over the State on the 12th of November this year, when the current anti-people regime would have left office.
“My running mate, Hon. Dennis Idahosa and I, alongside with other party faithful, will be speaking with the people directly during the campaigns. We will address their concerns and leave no stone unturned.
“We will not lie to the people or deceive them. Our word will be our bond. We will address their concerns and ensure that everyone is carried along. We will talk to our people directly and give them reasons why they should give us a chance to serve them. We have done it before. We will do it again.
“The good thing is that my running mate and I have contested and won elections before. We are currently members of the National Assembly. Those trying to challenge us are baby politicians who believe that speaking fine English will translate to victory. We will teach them a lesson they will not forget on election day.
“Our traditional institutions have been messed up by Obaseki. The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II and other Royal Fathers will be held in high esteem, unlike the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) disrespectful arrogance towards our traditional institutions.”
Okpebholo said his administration would be a complete departure from the current disastrous regime of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
He stressed that key issues affecting Edo people would form the thrust of his administration when elected as governor of the Heart Beat State.