The All Progressives Congress (APC), on Thursday, pledged to prioritise development in Ebhoyi community of Esan North-East local government area of Edo State.
The APC governorship candidate disclosed during a rally ahead of the upcoming September 21 governorship election in the state.
In its aggressive ward-to-ward campaign in the build-up to the Edo State gubernatorial election, the party was aiming to engage directly with the grassroots in an attempt to unseat the incumbent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government in the State.
The APC campaign trail was led by key party figures, including its gubernatorial candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and running mate, Hon. Dennis Idahosa.
Their presence in Ebhoyi community underscored the seriousness of the APC’s commitment to winning the hearts and minds of Edolites as the candidates in the campaign promised to focus on the concerns of the people.
Senator Okpebholo used the occasion to lay out his vision for Edo State’s future.
He reassured the residents of Ebhoyi community that even before his time in the Senate, he had been committed to the development of Edo State.
He revealed that he has already initiated high-level discussions with President Bola Tinubu regarding the reconstruction of the critical Benin-Auchi Road, a project that has been a longstanding demand of the people. Furthermore, Okpebholo pledged to employ 5,000 new teachers to bolster the state’s education system, and to introduce a mass transportation system that he believed will revolutionise the quality of life for residents across Edo State.
His speech was met with enthusiastic applause, as the crowd seemed to resonate with his practical and people-focused approach to governance.
Speaking about the state of Edo, Idahosa, for his part, questioned the economic policies, particularly the increasing debt profile, which, according to him, has not translated into any meaningful development or job creation.
He highlighted the APC’s previous achievements in attracting foreign investments to the state, such as the establishment of ceramic tile factories and Chinese tea companies.
The investments, Idahosa argued, were proof of the APC’s ability to foster economic growth and create job opportunities for the youth and women of Edo State. “This government will be for the youth and women,” Idahosa promised, eliciting cheers from the crowd.
Adding to the momentum of the event was the appearance of former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, a towering figure in Edo politics and a staunch member of the APC.
Oshiomhole’s presence further energised the crowd, and he took the opportunity to emphasise the importance of electing a governor who is not only competent but also deeply connected to the local culture and people.
He pointedly criticised the current administration’s perceived detachment from the grassroots, accusing Governor Godwin Obaseki and PDP governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, of being more concerned with paperwork and bureaucratic processes than with delivering tangible results for the people.
