The main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and the governing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo on Saturday held the grand finale of their governorship campaigns in Benin, the state capital.
APC’s mega rally held at the Sports Complex of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Ugbowo Main Campus, on Benin-Lagos Expressway while PDP’s grand finale of governorship campaign took place at Garrick Playground, opposite Ekenwan Campus of UNIBEN.
The Labour Party (LP) is yet to hold the grand finale of its governorship campaign but its governorship candidate, Olumide Akpata expressed optimism of emerging victorious next Saturday.
APC’s Senator Monday Okpebholo and PDP’s Dr. Asue Ighodalo are two leading contenders.
Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, who was in Benin for APC’s rally, paid courtesy visit on Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, before proceeding to UNIBEN’s sports complex.
Shettima assured that with the support of traditional institution in Edo, and the collective will of the residents, the state would develop.
He hailed Oba of Benin’s skillful balancing of tradition with modernity by ensuring that the values and customs of Benin people were preserved.
The Vice President said: “As we approach the governorship election in this great and beautiful state of Edo, we seek your blessings and counsel. Our party’s candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, is searching for progress and development of this great state.
“With your support, and the collective will of Edo people, we can usher in an era of unprecedented growth and prosperity for the state.”
The foremost traditional ruler wished the Vice President and other top politicians of APC well in their endeavours.
Senator Shettima was accompanied by Senate President Godswill Akpabio; the Minister of Niger Delta Development, Abubakar Momoh; the National Chairman of APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje; former National Chairman of APC, Senator Adams Oshiomhole and the reinstated Edo Deputy Governor Comrade Philip Shaibu,
Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos); Bassey Otu (Cross River); Hope Uzodimma (Imo); Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa); Dapo Abiodun (Ogun); Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo); Umar Namadi (Jigawa); AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara) and and Ahmed Ododo (Kogi) attended the mega rally.
Senator Francis Alimikhena (former Edo North) and an ex-representative of Oredo constituency in the House of Representatives, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, who was a governorship aspirant on PDP’s platform, among other chieftains of PDP and LP, defected to APC at the mega rally.