.PRP picks female candidate as
. Edo 2024: Apostle Suleiman’s subordinate is NNPP’s candidate

By Ozioruva Aliu

BENIN CITY – TWO days after the All Progressives Congress (APC) concluded its governorship primary election with Sen. Monday Okpebholo emerging the winner of the controversial exercise, Leader of the party in Central, Major General Cecil Esekhaigbe (rtd) has called for unity among all the leaders and members of the across the three senatorial districts to ensure victory for the APC in the September 21, 2024 governorship election.

    A statement issued by Esekhaigbe titled “The road to Osadebe Avenue” called on all members of the party hurt by the outcome of the primary to out the interest of the party upmost especially now that the Edo Central Senatorial District has the yearning chance of producing the next governor of the state after its first sting if only 19 months between May 2007 and November 2008.

   He said the outcome of the primary election is not an opportunity to settle old scores among party leaders.

   Part of the statement reads: “The primaries process for the candidacy of our great party, APC has been concluded with the presentation of the Certificate of Return to Senator Monday Okpebholo (Akpakomiza).  There is no doubt that the 12 Apostles ( THE ASPIRANTS) that participated in the process are all qualified by all standards, but the simple fact remains that only just one person would fly the flag of the party. Therefore, the winner should be humble in victory and those who did not win should please make a huge sacrifice and embrace dialogue. The route to Osadebe Avenue will be tortuous and challenging and only a united front can lead us to the finish line.  

   “It is in light of this, that I am respectfully calling all our party members to remember the axiom of NO VICTOR NO VANQUISHED.  Those congratulating Senator Okpebholo must do so with love and not hate, altruism and not subterfuge, progressive mentality against retrogressive instincts. The political battle must be led by clear line of thought. The next important step is reconciliation of all the leaders and the led with utmost respect to our Leader in Edo State. This is not the time for settling old scores. This is not the time for opportunistic alignment and empire creation. All the leaders would need to work together with clear directives to their followers that victory is only possible through a united front.

  “Those of us from Edo Central Senatorial District are not oblivious of our limitations but our hope, aspiration and conviction are hinged on the fact that.
   “The strength of a chain is determined by the weakest link,” Our quest for rotation of power was never based on an ENTITLEMENT MENTALITY, but the reasonable and humble demand for fairness, justice and equity.  We are embarking on an aggressive reconciliation process and the entire Esan race are indebted to the other districts with a charter of even and equal development of the state when Sen. Okpebholo is elected by the grace of God.”

 Edo 2024: PRP picks female candidate
 Meanwhile,Patience Key was on Saturday, affirmed as the flagbearer of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) for the September 21 governorship poll in Edo State. 

   In a process that was supervised by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Key was affirmed as the party’s candidate by unanimous votes of all the delegates that took part in the voting process.

   In her acceptance speech, Key said: “In our journey towards transforming Edo State, we recognize that our greatest asset is our people. The manifesto of our great party lays a robust foundation for economic, social, and infrastructural development, with human capital development as its core pillar. 
   “This commitment is not just a part of our vision; it is the essence of our mission to elevate Edo State to new heights. Our administration is committed to investing in the people of Edo State through comprehensive education reforms, healthcare accessibility, and skill development programs. 

   “We understand that the overall growth and development of our state are intrinsically linked to the well-being, education, and capabilities of our citizens. We will ensure that every child in Edo State has access to quality education that prepares them for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. 
 “Furthermore, we will expand vocational training and entrepreneurship programs to equip our youth and adults with the skills needed in a rapidly evolving global economy.”

  On transparency and good governance, she said: “Transparency, accountability, and good governance will be the hallmarks of our administration. We will ensure that the resources of Edo State serve the people of Edo State, implementing policies with integrity and openness.

  “Together, with your support, I am confident that we can overcome these challenges and achieve the Edo State we all dream of.”

 Edo 2024: Apostle Suleiman’s subordinate is NNPP’s candidate

  The Senior Pastor of Omega Fire Ministry, Pastor Azehme Azena has been declared the elected Governorship Candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the primary election held at Ugbor, GRA, Benin City, Edo state.

   Azena who was formerly a governorship aspirant in the Labour Party but later defected to the NNPP, scored 211 Votes to emerge the Flagbearer of the Party.

  Announcing the result, the Chairman, Electoral Committee of the party, Senator Suleiman Abdulraham said out of 351 votes, Azehme polled 211 votes,  while Peter Okigwaele scored 100 votes, Rev Sabastine  Iyare scored 25 votes Balogun Alime scored 17 votes with two invalid votes and one void votes
   Abdulraham called on other Aspirants to support the flagbearer of the Party to enable NNPP win the September 21st election.

  Speaking Pastor Azena thanked  his party for giving him the opportunity to contest and win the primary election in the State.

   He said there was no victor, no vanquished as he would commence reconciliation with other aspirants who contested with him to enable the Party work in Unity to clinch victory in September 21st, 2024.
    According to him, “I want to unite the party ,I want to bring in other aspirants,no loser,no winner to me, because we have lions and tigers to compete with,I want to see how unity can be restored. The reason is that during the process some people may have felt aggrieved, so my first assignment is to see how unity can be brought back to the party, then we can now see how we are to confront the opponent for the guber elections.”