OshiomoleJide Orintunsin, Abuja
Former Edo state governor, Senator Adams Oshiomole on Monday, January 15, stated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is resolute in reclaiming the state from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the upcoming September 21 governorship election, amidst 29 contenders vying for the party’s ticket.
The national chairman of the party, Abdullahi Ganduje also charged stakeholders from the state to ensure that the state is delivered to the party during the forth coming state governorship election.
The two leaders spoke Monday night at the extended Edo State stakeholders meeting with the National Working Committee (NWC) on the state gubernatorial election at the party national secretariat in Abuja.
The former APC national chairman, who is the leader of the party in the state told members of the NWC that leaders and members of the party in the state have resolved to reclaim the state, which he said originally belongs to the party.
Oshiomole: “We are particularly determined, as you can see everybody here has a robust past and even present. We are determined to reclaim Edo State. I used the word reclaim because Edo is ours. We lost it due to several factors some of which were caused by some APC elements.”
Stressing the resolve of the party to add Edo in APC kitty, Oshiomole said stakeholders in the state have embarked on series of dialogues with governorship aspirants with a view to getting their understanding for a rancour free primary and to eventually win the governorship election slated for September.
He said: “On our part, we have tried to initiate dialogue among our aspirants. It is no secret, that at the time we had the dialogue, I think they (aspirants) were 27. I learned it has increased to 29 now. The process is ongoing, and the struggle continues. So we are looking forward to a healthy deliberation.”
The former governor also appreciated the role the national chairman, Dr. Ganduje played during the last governorship election in the state and prayed that God will crown his efforts this time around as the party rejoins the progressive family under his leadership.
Counselling the delegates, APC chairman said the party must improve internal democracy for a popular and widely acceptable candidate to emerge as the flag bearer of the party at the party’s February 17 primary election.
He noted: “We have to improve our internalp democracy – we have to deepen and widen it. We need to understand the party and its manifesto; its rules and regulations. We need to understand its philosophy.
“We need to move towards having a party ideology so that we will not be an ordinary political association whereby everybody can come in just to win an election.
“We have to be transparent and at the same time we have to also adopt a guided democracy where we can discuss issues so that we limit if possible the number of contestants.
The chairman then assured that APC is taking Edo State back come September 2024.
He stated: “Edo is an APC state.Now we have to take Edo back. We have only one state from the South South for the greatest party in Africa which is not acceptable. We were able to get only Cross River State; after crossing so many rivers we succeeded in getting Cross River. But Edo State, we Isha Allah must get it.”
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