Edo: APC Leaders Endorse ‘Almighty Formula’ Against PDP, Ighodalo

No fewer than 30 All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders from Edo South Senatorial District (Benin), have adopted the former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP chieftain, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama as running mate to the APC governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

The adoption of Ogbeide-Ihama by the APC leaders according is being envisaged as a mathematical Almighty Formula that could bring the mainstream of the APC and the PDP together formally for the first time to confront the choice of the outgoing governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki.

GWG.ng reports that Obaseki is generally believed to be spearheading Asue Ighodalo with the support of the national leadership of the PDP to the displeasure of the mainstream PDP which welcomed him into the party four years ago when he fell out of favour in the APC.

Ogbeide-Ihama who was at the ascendancy for the PDP ticket in 2020 eventually collapsed his aspiratino to be Obaseki’s agent in the main election.

However, the determination of the outgoing governor to project Ighodalo at the expense of the mainstream of the PDP led by Chief Dan Orbih has now led to the meeting of minds with Ogbeide-Ihama being adopted as the returning mate of the APC ticket holder, Senator Okpebholo.

The Conclave reports that the Edo APC leaders gave the endorsement of Ogbeide-Ihama as running mate at a meeting attended by top former governorship aspirants and other critical stakeholders from Edo South.

Among those present at the meeting were Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, General Charles Airhiavbere (retd), Lucky Imasuen, and Senator Matthew Urhoghide, among others.

Ogbeide-Ihama, a former member of the House of Representatives and a formidable politician from Edo South, until recently was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The popular Edo politician, who controls the structure of Dan Orbih-led faction of the PDP in Edo South, is moving into the APC with thousands of supporters and PDP Party leaders from the senatorial zone.

It was gathered that his movement to the party and his endorsement by leaders from the largest senatorial district in Edo State, may earn the APC the needed victory from Edo South during the polls.

One of the leaders who attended the meeting, quoted the leaders as saying that “major leaders from Edo South have never been this united before. That is why victory has been very elusive for the APC in the senatorial district. We’ve now settled that issue.

“With Ogbeide-Ihama as the running mate to Senator Okpebholo and all APC leaders from Edo South have formed a united front, we’ll deliver the entire Benin zone to the APC for the first time. This time around, there are no cracks in the party in Edo South.

“Ogbeide-Ihama is coming into APC with all the ward leaders of the PDP in Edo South and across the three senatorial districts in Edo State. It means 18 factional chairmen of the the PDP in Edo State, 192 Ward chairmen and other critical stakeholders are going to work for the success of APC in Edo State.

“You know the calibre of people who are members of the faction of the PDP in Edo State. The PDP in Edo State is strong because of them and with their united support, it’s a game changer and victory is assured for our candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

“This is the first time something like this is happening and we’ll build on the momentum to ensure that we win the elections in September. It’s game over for the PDP in Edo State, even before the main elections.”

Governorship candidate of the APC in Edo State, Senator Okpebholo in his reaction to the development, told newsmen that he welcomes the move and has fully endorsed the action taken by APC leaders from Edo South.

Senator Okpebholo said APC was going into the elections more united than ever and expressed optimism that he’ll emerge as the next governor of Edo State.

“I fully welcome the development and endorsement of Ogbeide-Ihama by leaders of APC from Edo South. This is the first time something of this nature will happen and it shows that the APC family in Edo State is fully ready to go into this election,” Okpebholo said.

With additional reports from The Conclave

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