The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has said Edo people stood to enjoy more dividends of democracy from the Federal Government if they vote in an administration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State in the forth coming governorship election.

Senator Akpabio spoke on Saturday at an APC grand rally in Benin City, Edo State. The rally had in attendance the Vice-President, Kashim Shetima, the National Chairman of the APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje and about 12 Governors of the APC extraction among other dignitaries.

A statement by the Special Assistant on Media and Communication to the President of the Senate, Anietie Ekong quoted Senator Akpabio as urging Edo people to return the State to the Centre by voting for the APC candidates, Senator Monday Okpebholo Honourable Dennis Idahosa.

Senator Akpabio revealed that the Federal Government had awarded the contract for the construction of Auchi – Benin road for over N11 billion and work was ongoing and assured that more Federal projects will be executed in the State with an APC administration in the saddle.

According to Senator Akpabio, “My presence here today is to let you know that I have implicit confidence in the capacity of the duo of Senator Okpebholo and Honourable Idahosa as members of the National Assembly to bring the desired change to Edo and return the State to the path of progress.

“A vote for Senator Okpebholo is a vote for infrastructural renaissance in Edo State and end the present decay that the State is witnessing. The APC administration will bring about empowerment and employment to the youths and I urge you to join hands and return the State to the path of development,” he said.

Also speaking, Vice-President Shetima said the expectaions of the Nigerian people remain the same no matter their differences in ethnicity, gender or religion and assured that the Federal Government will ensure that more resources are put into the development of the States.

Former Governor of the State and Senator representing Edo North, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole lamented the present situation that Edo State has found itself after his exit as the Governor.

He said the administration of Mr Godwin Obaseki had destroyed the State and had only engaged in ground-breaking ceremonies and signing of memorandum of undertanding with nothing tangible to show for the homonguous allocation that had accrued to the State. He urged the people to vote massively for Senator Okpebholo to turn the tide around.

The rally witnessed the defection of high profile politicians in the State from other parties who were received by the APC National Chairman, Ganduje.

The team led by Vice-President Shetima had earlier paid a courtesy visit on the Oba of Benin His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II.

Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson-Okojie has come under fire on social media after publicly endorsing Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, in the upcoming Edo State gubernatorial election.

In a video that has since gone viral, the actress is seen campaigning for Okpebholo at a rally, urging the crowd to support the APC candidate.

Johnson-Okojie highlighted the need for change in Edo State, pointing to the lack of basic amenities such as electricity, water, healthcare, and security.

“Are you not tired? No light, water, healthcare, security and good roads. If you will vote for senator Monday, raise your hand,” she said.

“…So when you get to that field early in the morning, vote for Monday, vote for APC, vote for the broom.”

The video has sparked significant backlash on social media, with critics accusing the actress of supporting the ruling party despite the widespread economic hardship plaguing the country.

@masurge wrote, “Mercy Johnson is just a cheap opportunistic agbero with zero class and zero morality in my opinion. Imagine supporting blabbing Tinubu and now also supporting Illiterate Monday Okpebholo of all people. Talent is really not enough.”

@f0944366: “Mercy Johnson no try, how can she be campaigning for APC, it’s her right una go talk, right to make foolish and greedy decision…”

@ehiogs4life: My point is, how do people just gather the courage to still come out and campaign for APC and The Edo people still Dey listen. I Dey shame for all of Una. Tufiakwa

This is so sad…
When they think the lives of Nigerians is now Nollywood…
How do people throw away the relevance they’ve gathered over the years in less than 2 minutes for just how much?

— Mandyzz (@ONYEZIAA) September 12, 2024
@ONYEZIAA: “This is so sad… When they think the lives of Nigerians is now Nollywood… How do people throw away the relevance they’ve gathered over the years in less than 2 minutes for just how much?”

Okpebholo is contesting against Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) among others in the September 21 election.

Vanguard News

By Mario Deepromoter

The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has endorsed the Congresses conducted by its chapter in Rivers State.

This development Consolidates the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike control over the Rivers State chapter of the party.

To this end, the leadership of the party has endorsed the Wike led Rivers State congresses.

Wike’s loyalists within the PDP NWC not only secured the approval but also postponed the National Executive Committee meeting, originally set for September 26, to October 24, which could have overturned the decision.

The PDP NWC, led by acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, made this decision during a meeting at the party’s national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, in Abuja on Thursday.

The NWC meeting had been delayed for the past three weeks amid rising tension within the party, especially between former Rivers State governor Wike and the PDP Governors Forum over the status of Rivers State party congresses.

It would be recalled that the political conflict between Wike and current Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, escalated on August 24 when PDP governors publicly backed Fubara.

PDP governors called for a review of the Rivers State Congresses and affirmed Fubara’s role as the leader of the PDP in the state.

This support for Fubara enraged Wike, who on August 31 threatened to create chaos in the governors’ states if they did not refrain from interfering in Rivers State matters.