Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Saturday, said a wave of massive defections will soon hit opposition political parties in the South-South zone ahead of the 2027 presidential election in the country.
Governor Okpebholo spoke at a special reception held for him at Ewatto, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State after the Governor’s victory at the election petition tribunal ruling last week. He thanked Edo people for their support, prayers, and counting him worthy to lead the State. He assured the people that Edo would progress and develop under his watch.
“The people of Edo State will not regret voting me as their Governor. I am happy today that l am in a winning party. A party that was rejected by all and now has become the party that everybody wants to join. APC has come to stay as the government at the center is APC.
“Very soon, there will be a lot of defections into the APC. People will move and cross carpet from PDP, LP and other opposition parties into the APC and that will be the beginning of South South keying into the reform agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Today, I am happy and proud to say that I am a son to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I am also proud to say I carry uncommon grace and uncommon transformation which I am already using to transform and develop Edo State.
“Words that come out of my mouth are prophetic and I am using these words to develop Edo State. My administration is working to ensure motorable roads and reducing traveling time for our people. Our development is also covering other neighboring states because South South must speak with one voice as we approach 2027,” he said.
He said: “I want to use this opportunity to appreciate our royal fathers for their support and prayers. I also appreciate Edo people for finding me worthy to cast their votes for me on September 21st governorship election in Edo State. It is not easy to run two elections in a year and win the two offices. I give God the glory. I am not the talking type and never interested in politics, but really want to develop Edo State.
“In 2021, we looked for an Esan man that would contest for Senate and we did not find anyone who wanted to contest under the All Progressives Congress (APC) as everyone wanted to contest under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The drive to contest came in 2022 when some people came to appeal to me to contest for the Senate and our discussion became an eye opener which led me into contesting for the Senate seat.
“I lost a beloved sister due to bad water which she consumed and I vowed to ensure good water is available across the state. I am really going to ensure good water runs in Edo State. Our development will not just be roads, schools, healthcare, providing the people with good drinking water across the State.”
The Governor and his entourage visited the place of the Onojie of Ewatto, HRH Osagie Sylvanus Ikhumen I, who was joined by other traditional rulers from Edo Central who received the Governor and prayed for the success of his administration.
The Governor also inspected Chief Lee Ikpea’s Medical Center, Idumuiyase, Ewatto, where he was taken round the facility of the hospital, which is yet to be completed by the donor, Dr. Lemon Ikpea.
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