Edo By-election: Landslide Victory By APC, Vote of Confidence on Governor Okpebholo, Says Ex-lawmaker Aluebhosele

Okpebholo, Aluebhosele                              

Hendrix Oliomogbe

Buoyed by the landslide victory recorded by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the just concluded by-election in Edo Central Senatorial District and Ovia Federal Constituency, a chieftain of the party in Igueben Local Government Area, Mr. Ephraim Aluebhosele has commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for leading the party to an emphatic victory.

Going by the results of last Saturday, August 16, by-election, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the APC candidates, Dr. Joe Ikpea cleared Esan Central Senatorial District while Barr. Omosede Igbinedion won overwhelmingly in Ovia Federal Constituency.

Mr. Aluebhosele, a former member of the House of Assembly for Igueben Constituency described Governor Okpebholo as a visionary leader whose total commitment to grassroots mobilization and party unity helped tremendously in the victory.

He dedicated the success to the governor, noting that his exceptional leadership qualities helped in no small way to stabilize the party during the primaries, where the winning candidates emerged through consensus.

He said: "The leadership style of the governor which resulted in the consensus arrangement during the primaries, helped to stabilize the party and brought unity, which resulted in the landslide victory recorded on August 16. The governor should be commended for ensuring rancour free primaries. While our opponents were busy fighting themselves, the APC was solidly united. I dedicate the victory to Governor Okpebholo."

Mr. Aluebhosele noted that the success is a total vote of confidence by Edo people on the Governor Okpebholo led administration, adding that the outcome of the polls clearly showed that the governor is at home with the overwhelming majority of the people.

He said: "Going by the results of the just concluded by-election in Edo Central Senatorial District and Ovia Federal Constituency, it's crystal clear that Edo people have faith in Governor Okpebholo led APC administration in the state. The results showed that the people are with the government. 

"There's no doubt that the governor has done very well. The Edo State capital of Benin City is wearing a new look as the flyover project at Ramat will soon be completed. Teachers have been recruited in public schools, a New Edo Line transport company has just taken off, for the first time in a long time, scholarships will be given to Edo students in tertiary institutions, amongst other initiatives. There are massive developmental projects going on in the three Senatorial districts. Governor Okpebholo is working for Edo people."

While soliciting the continued support of the ordinary people for Governor Okpebholo, the ex-lawmaker said that with their total support, he is confident that he (Governor Okpebholo) will do more to uplift the lots of the ordinary Edo person in line with his administration mantra of a "New Edo Rising".