APC must reclaim Edo, Osunbor vows as he joins guber race

APC must reclaim Edo, Osunbor vows as he joins guber race

Joel Oladele, Abuja

One of the aspirants jostling to emerge as the flag bearer of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor has expressed optimism over the possibility of his party taking over the State.

Osunbor who once governed the State for 17½ months from 2007 to 2008 was at the party’s National Secretariat on Thursday to obtain the statutory Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms.

National Periscope recalls that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Edo governorship election for 21 September, 2024.

Addressing Journalists, the former governor said the election is a must win for APC as the party can’t afford a repeat of the mistake that made it lose the state to opposition in 2020.

He added that amongst the aspirants, he’s the most qualified as his popularity cut across the nooks and crannies of the state.

“You will recall that last Friday 19 January, the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Felix Morka, Esq, issued a Press Statement to the effect that all interested aspirants for the Edo governorship election 2024 are free to come and collect their forms. Pursuant to that Statement, I have come here today to pick up the Expression of interest and Nomination Forms.

“For many of us, this coming election is a MUST WIN for Edo State APC. No impediment, no matter how contrived and from whatever source, can stop our great party APC from reclaiming Edo in 2024.

“The mistakes which made APC to lose the State to PDP in 2020 must not be allowed to afflict us a second time. For APC as a party, Edo State is a low-hanging fruit. We must not lose this opportunity to reclaim it with me as candidate. My popularity and acceptability spread across the three Senatorial Districts of Edo State and even beyond APC.”

Unveiling his plans for Edo State with a Manifesto christened “THE REBIRTH OF EDO FOR EXCELLENCE” Osunbor described himself as an experienced candidate people are yearning to have back in the government house, having ruled the state briefly before he was sacked via a Court’s verdict in favour of Adams Oshiomole in 2008.

“I know that my supporters, well wishers and all people of goodwill across Edo State and beyond will be elated and relieved to see me here at the APC National Secretariat to collect these forms.

“Edo people are yearning for good governance. They want to see Edo State resources being used to develop the State and transform the lives of the people for the better. They are waiting to give me a resounding victory in the September 21 governorship election.

“They remember very well my excellent performance as governor for 17½ months from 2007 to 2008 and want to see me back in Osadebe Avenue as governor-hence I have christened my Manifesto: THE REBIRTH OF EDO FOR EXCELLENCE.

“Now we have taken the first step. We will not look back. Rather, we are looking forward to the direct primaries promised us by the leadership of the party. I am confident that the party will conduct proper primaries, devoid of undue influence and manipulations. By the grace of God our victory is sure.”

Speaking on zoning arrangement, he said the initiative is both constitutionally and morally justified and should be embraced to foster unity across the country.

“For me rotation is somewhat different from zoning, if you look at the national level, there is rotation of the presidency between North and South and it’s been working very well, once it is rotated other positions are zoned.

“So I believe in the principle of rotation and zoning. People confuse the two but for me they are not exactly the same.

“In Edo, I believe there should be rotation amongst the three senatorial districts of the state, having rotated across senatorial districts you will then zone all other positions, where the Deputy, Speaker and others will come from.

“And I believe it’s a good thing, it inculcates a sense of belonging, oneness, unity and sense of inclusion and I think a country like Nigeria needs that kind of spirit in order to forge national unity.

“A state like Edo needs that kind of spirit in order that no component of the state feels left behind.

“People will say it is not constitutional it is constitutional, go and read section 14 of the constitution, where it said offices should not be concentrated in one part of the country, or in one religious group or the other in order to ensure fair distribution, let every part feel the sense of belonging and have opportunity to occupy those offices rather than concentrating it and keeping it perpetually within one specific geographical area.”