From Fred Itua, Abuja
As campaigns officially kick-off in Edo State, ahead of the 21st September governorship election, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Monday Okpebholo has assured the people of issue-based campaigns.
The leading candidate in a statement signed by his media office and made available to newsmen, promised not to disappoint or deceive the Edo people, assuring that his administration will be a complete departure from the current disastrous regime of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Senator Okpebholo said key issues affecting Edo people will form the thrust of his administration when elected as governor of the Heart Beat State.
He listed quality and affordable healthcare, affordable and quality education, road infrastructure, security, food security, social welfare programmes, housing, ICT, and agriculture, among, as key areas that will be addressed during the campaigns.
The leading candidate assured that, unlike other candidates who have no visible track records of providing services to the people, he will rely on his vast experience to make Edo State the new economic powerhouse in Nigeria.
Okpebholo revealed that following his intervention and that of the leader of APC in Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, contractors have returned to federal roads to complete projects abandoned by previous federal administrations in the country.
He said with the massive ongoing federal government interventions across the State, more will be brought in when the APC is elected to take over the affairs of the State and collaborate with the government at the centre.
The APC candidate, while urging his supporters across the State to focus on issue-based campaigns, promised to carry everyone along and ensure that no segment of the State is marginalised, especially traditional institutions that have been repeatedly disdained by the Obaseki-led government.
Okpebholo noted: “As the campaign’s 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 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.
“When we unveil our manifesto soon and our winning campaign team, we will hit the ground running. For us, this is a marathon, and will win the race in the end. No amount of intimidation or blackmail will derail us. We are in this contest to win and we will take over Edo State by the grace of God.”