Edo guber: APC leaders endorse Ogbeide-Ihama as Okpebholo’s running mate

Leaders representing the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Edo South Senatorial District convened in Abuja to express their support for Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama’s nomination as the running mate to the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, ahead of the September 21, 2024, elections in the state.

During a crucial meeting on Thursday night in Abuja, APC dignitaries, including former governorship aspirants and stakeholders from the southern region of Edo State, endorsed Ogbeide-Ihama’s candidacy. Ogbeide-Ihama, formerly a member of the House of Representatives under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has defected to the APC.

A prominent figure in Edo politics, Ogbeide-Ihama holds sway over the Dan Orbih-led faction of the PDP in Edo South and is bringing along thousands of supporters and PDP leaders from the senatorial zone to the APC.

One of the attendees quoted the leaders as expressing unprecedented unity among major stakeholders from Edo South, which has historically posed challenges for APC victories. With Ogbeide-Ihama as Senator Okpebholo’s running mate and the unified front formed by APC leaders from Edo South, they anticipate delivering the entire Benin zone to the APC for the first time, sans internal party divisions.

They highlighted Ogbeide-Ihama’s entry into the APC alongside ward leaders and other stakeholders from Edo South and across the state’s three senatorial districts. This includes 18 factional chairpersons of the PDP in Edo State, 192 ward chairpersons, and numerous critical stakeholders, all committed to ensuring APC’s success in the upcoming elections.

Senator Okpebholo welcomed the endorsement, affirming the heightened unity within the APC as they prepare for the elections. He expressed confidence in emerging victorious as the next governor of Edo State.

Other notable personalities present at the meeting included General Charles Airhiavbere (rtd), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Senator Mathew Urhogide, Lucky Imasuen, among others.