- Assures him of FG’s support, emphasises importance of good governance
- It’s time to work, says Edo governor-elect
- Oshiomhole wants Obaseki probed over World Bank’s $75m fund
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday called on the Edo State governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo, to prioritise his state’s development.
He also assured him of the full support of the Federal Government and the Progressive Governors’ Forum.
Tinubu gave this advice at a meeting with the leadership of the All Progressives Congress party, where the Edo governor-elect, Okpebholo, and the deputy governor-elect, Dennis Idahosa, presented their certificates of return.
The Special Adviser to Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who was at the meeting, revealed the details in a statement.
Tinubu emphasised the importance of good governance and delivering results to the people of Edo State, saying, “Governor-elect, you can now face the task of development.
“We are here to work with you. You have seen the progressive governors of APC. They are truly progressive. Work with them. Learn the ropes, and I believe you are up to the task,” Tinubu said.
Acknowledging the challenges of democracy, particularly in emerging economies such as Nigeria, the President added, “You have earned the victory. Democracy is difficult, particularly in emerging democracies and economies like ours.
“If you hear complaints from places like America, you know how difficult it is to navigate democracy. But it remains the best form of government.”
The President congratulated Senator Okpebholo and his deputy, describing them as a “good symbol of people ordained by God to work together.”
“You started as rivals and ended up as partners. You are a symbol of good understanding in politics; the man at our party’s helm has been through it before.
“In Kano, he was a front runner, became a second runner, and became a deputy before he eventually became a governor,” he said.
Tinubu acknowledged the role played by former Edo State governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, the progressive governors, and the APC leadership in the successful outcome of the gubernatorial election in Edo.
“I saw Adams Oshiomhole radiating in joy. Sincerely, the governors showed up in Edo; they impressed me. They defended the party. They worked hard for the party,” he remarked.
Tinubu also commended INEC and the security agencies for ensuring a peaceful and organised election, with no reports of violence or disturbances.
“I must thank the security agencies. There was no bloodshed, no riot; people voted and went back to their houses in peace, and the fears dissipated instantly,” he said.
The President urged the party leadership and membership to remain united and focused on achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Never mind the noise makers. I do a lot of statistical sampling and results. When you hear politicians saying ‘all politics is local’, you must respect that notion.
“When you see the stability in the Edo North senatorial district, we see a man who won the Central senatorial district and a candidate who has won a seat in the South senatorial district; we did a match that turned out to be a winning match,” he said.
President Tinubu also commented on the heavy downpour on Election Day in Edo and the electorate’s commitment to vote in the rain without an umbrella.
“It is a very striking illustration,” the President said, referring to remarks made by the National Chairman of the party, Abdullahi Ganduje, about the election-day rains in Edo.
In his remarks, Ganduje commended the President, the governors, and all stakeholders for their leadership and support.
“On the day of the election, there was an exciting scenario: it was raining heavily, yet people came out to vote without using an umbrella.
“Your Excellency, the people were convinced that our party is the party to be voted for, and we won the election,” he said.
The APC National Chairman noted that the party’s next focus is securing victories in the forthcoming governorship elections in Ondo and Anambra States.
“The election in Anambra is part of our programme, ‘Political de-marginalisation of the South East geopolitical zone.’
“Having only two states in the South East as APC is too small for us. We need more states from the South East geopolitical zone,” he said.
It’s time to work, says Edo governor-elect
Meanwhile, the Edo State Governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo, on Thursday, declared that it is time for him to work.
This comes after the Independent National Electoral Commission officially presented certificates of return to him and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa.
The certificates were handed over by INEC’s National Commissioner for Edo State, Rhoda Gumus, on Thursday, five days after the duo was declared winners of the Edo governorship election.
Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress candidate, secured 291,667 votes, winning 11 out of the 18 Local Government Areas.
His closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the People’s Democratic Party, garnered 247,274 votes, winning seven LGAs, while the Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata finished third with 22,761 votes.
Speaking after receiving his certificate, Okpebholo expressed his commitment to serving the people of Edo State.
“I feel very happy, and it is time for me to work, and that is what I am going to do,” he said.
A former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomole, praised the outcome, stating that the new administration would respect the people and traditional institutions.
“Edo people now have a new government who will not disrespect the people. We now have a governor that respects the traditional institutions and knows what is good for the people of Edo State,” Oshiomole said.
The ceremony, held in Benin City, was attended by various dignitaries, including APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, court-reinstated Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, and other notable figures from the state.
Okpebholo is set to succeed Governor Godwin Obaseki, whose tenure concludes on November 11.
Okpebholo said he is open to working with the opposition parties if they have “beautiful” and “acceptable” ideas for the people.
Okpebholo urged his closest rivals—Asue Ighodalo of the People’s Democratic Party and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party—to “bear” with the outcome of last Saturday’s election, promising to serve the Edo people.
“If they have a beautiful idea that is acceptable to the people, then why not? My door is open to everybody,” he told State House Correspondents after meeting President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Okpebholo urged his political opponents to “bear it” and “wait” for another election cycle, saying he expects congratulatory greetings from them as he would have had he lost.
“They have to bear it. They have to wait. It has happened. If I had lost, I would have borne it, and I would have, by now, congratulated the winner. So, I’m expecting them to congratulate me.
The soon-to-be governor, who promised to serve his people, called his administration “a new dawn” for the 33-year-old state.
He said, “For me, I’m coming as a servant to serve the Edo people. That is what is required of me, and that is exactly what I’m going to do.
“So very soon, you will see a lot of development coming up in Edo. We are going to employ teachers.
“We are going to renovate our schools…a lot will be happening over time. So, with time, you recognise that a new dawn has happened.”
Oshiomhole wants Obaseki probed over World Bank’s $75m fund
However, a former Edo State Governor who now represents Edo North District in the Nigerian Senate, Adams Oshiomhole, has called on the World Bank to probe the current Governor, Godwin Obaseki’s use of its $75m fund for the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation.
Oshiomhole said he is excited that the APC had reclaimed the state after Obaseki defected from the APC to the PDP in 2020 following a godfather-godson fallout with him.
“God has brought him (Okpebholo) to rescue Edo people, restore integrity, rebuild our schools, employ teachers so that parents don’t need to contribute money to pay teachers.
“All the fraud that Obaseki was doing with so-called World Bank money, and I think the World Bank will even want to investigate what he did with that money when you have schools without teachers and you are doing EdoBEST. He left Edo worse.
“Senator Monday Okpebholo’s job is well cut out for him. Edo people cannot wait to see a new approach to governance: government of the people, by the people, and for Edo people. Incidentally, his name, translated in English, means the rescuer,” said Oshiomhole.
He urged the opposition to work with the new government, saying: “In a genuine democracy, there is no loser. If Monday Okpebholo does everything he promised to do—employ teachers, rebuild schools, clean up the mess in the road, restore the market, support farmers, and deal with issues of insecurity—everybody will be safe. And so we are all winners.”
“So my advice to them is to accept it. This issue has been resolved. Let us work closer. And I expect Monday to join forces to ensure that the Edo people enjoy the benefits of democracy and good governance,” he added.
