Senator Monday Okpebholo
By Godswill Inegbe.
One of the reasons why Edo voters should entrust their electoral preference with the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Monday Okpebholo, popularly known as Akpakomiza, in the forthcoming off-cycle governorship election in Edo State scheduled for September 21st by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is because the APC flag-bearer is the only candidate among the other governorship candidates that understands the political nuances of the Edo people and relates to the native emotions of the various tribes that constitute the state.
Apart from the irrefutable fact that the APC candidate possesses the requisite capacity and qualification to govern the state and liberate it from its current infrastructural and economic challenges, Akpakomiza, as he is fondly called by his numerous followers, associates and admirers across the state, is one of the finest, smartest and humble governorship candidates in the recent political history of Edo state.
Senator Okpebholo’s political track record and humanitarian antecedents in Edo state, no doubt placed him above the other candidates. In terms of performance in Edo Central Senatorial District which he represents at the 10th Senate, in terms of character and passion to ensure that Edo state is liberated from insecurity and economic woes, the APC flag-bearer remains the only candidate with proven strength of character and demonstrable capacity to make things work in the state.
The Godwin Obaseki’s administration which is notoriously tagged as MOU administration in the state is classified by some analysts as opaque as the Zuma Rock. It is a classical example of the popular saying “the more you look, the less you see.” It is incontrovertible that Obaseki’s MoU administration engaged in dubious, bogus and questionable projects like the celebrated Agriculture, Seaport and Airport projects that ended up as white elephant projects.
Even though Governor Obaseki is not on the ballot but his godson, Asuen Ighodalo, who is the PDP candidate, has been a part of the MOU administration that has set Edo state backward in comparison with Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s administration which Obaseki succeeded.
Another major reason why the APC candidate will win the Edo governorship election is the fact that he is a unifier.
It may be recalled that after the highly contested primary election which produced the APC candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the candidate was able to manage the fallout from the primaries and unite the party. Unarguably, APC remains the most formidable and united party in Edo State as it stands today.
But on the other hand, the candidates of PDP and LP could not, or rather, failed in managing their post primary elections crisis. The salient question therefore is, how can a candidate who couldn’t manage the internal crisis in his party govern a secular state like Edo? State governance is not a storm in a tea cup. It’s a serious job, and clearly it’s only a candidate with the strength of character and strong political will like the APC candidate that is fit for the job.
Another distinguishing factor that places the APC candidate above other candidates can be drawn from his giant strides in infrastructural development in Edo Central Senatorial District. Before vying for elective position in 2023, the APC guber candidate had endeared himself into the hearts of the Esan speaking people of Edo State, through his demonstrable humanitarianism. He is humility personified despite his success in life. He has always been part of the communal life of the Esan people and in times of need, he has always identified with them.
His overwhelming victory as a Senator on the platform of APC in 2023, a victory that put to end the 24 years of PDP reign in the Edo Central Senatorial District was as a result of his tremendous political goodwill and support that he enjoys from the people.
As a serving Senator, the APC governorship candidate has changed the political narrative in Edo Central Senatorial District through his people-centered projects and schemes like; the free transportation scheme, free portable public water scheme, free medicare scheme, scholarship awards, educational support grants, SME’s support grants, road infrastructure projects etc. No wonder the APC governorship candidate is referenced as an alternate government in Edo Central Senatorial District.