*It’s a New Dawn For Edo People, Says Okpebholo
*I’ll Be Servant To All Edo People
* ‘I Expect Congratulatory Messages From Opposition’
* ‘Join Hands With Me To Raise Governance Bar In Edo’
THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented Certificates of Return to the Edo State governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and his Deputy, Dennis Idahosa.
The certificates were presented to them by INEC National Commissioner in charge of Edo State, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, at the Commission’s national headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, September 26.
Recall that INEC had on Sunday, September 22, declared Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the September 21 Edo State governorship election, having secured 291,667 votes to defeat his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 247,274 votes, followed by Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP), who garnered 22,763 votes.
Speaking to journalists after the event, Okpebholo appreciated the people of Edo State for giving him the mandate to serve, pledging to work for the people of the state.
Also speaking, National Chairman of the party, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, said Okpebholo has the experience and blueprint to develop the state, adding: “Edo State was an APC state. Later on, the governor, as a nomadic politician, cross -carpeted to PDP. But today, we fought for it and we have recovered our state for the APC.
“I am so happy because essentially, our governor-elect, an experienced politician and a distinguished senator, has a blueprint for the development of Edo State, and we assure you, you will see great changes.”
On his part, a former governor of the state, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, said the people of the state were happy for having a governor that would not be fighting people and institutions, but would respect them.
“The important thing that I am happy about is that Edo people now have a new governor who will not disrespect them. We now have a governor who will respect our traditional institutions, the heart of our culture. We now have a governor who will not be fighting about artifacts.
“We now have a governor who will not demolish a hospital and replace it with a museum. We now have a governor who understands the value of education and will not destroy a library and replace it with a market. For me, this is what excites Edo people.”
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu later in the day hosted Okpebholo, accompanied by Ganduje and some governors elected on the platform of the party at the Presidential Villa, Abuja .
Among the governors present were Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Hope Uzodimma (Imo); Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara); Uba Sani (Kaduna); Usman Ododo (Kogi) and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), as well as Oshiomhole and Deputy Governor of the state, Philip Shaibu.
Okpebholo said his election signaled a new dawn for the state. In his remarks while briefing State House Correspondents after presenting his Certificate of Return to Tinubu, promised to work with the opposition if they had good ideas.
“I think Edo people have spoken with their votes. For me, I’m coming as a servant, to serve the Edo people. That is what is required of me and that is exactly what I am going to do. So, very soon, we will see a lot of developments coming to Edo.
“We are going to employ teachers, we are going to integrate our schools, a lot will be happening over time.”
He promised to run an open-door administration, urging those who lost to bear the loss, even as he stated: “If I had lost, I would have to bear it and I would have by now congratulated the winner. So, I’m expecting them to congratulate me.”
Oshiomhole said God made Okpebholo’s victory possible, noting: “God confers power. Man can make all the efforts, but if God chooses not to crown it, it will be in vain.
“I am excited that we have reclaimed a new state almost in the same manner that we reclaimed it from PDP in 2007 before Obaseki took it away from us.
“My joy is the fact that Edo people will now have a governor that they can hug, they can touch, they can feel. A governor that will open the doors.”
According to Oshiomhole, Okpebholo is at home with the ordinary people and understands the challenges of the rural poor. “So, they are all excited now that they are back again with a governor they can say, this is my governor.
“Incidentally, his name translated in English means the rescuer. And so God has brought him to rescue Edo people, to restore integrity, to rebuild our schools, to employ teachers, so that parents don’t need to contribute money to pay teachers.
“Edo people cannot wait to see a new approach to governance, government of the people, by the people and for Edo people.”
He appealed to those that lost the contest to accept it in good faith, adding: “That you have lost doesn’t mean it’s all over for you. You can’t win until the time that God has appointed. So, my advice to them is to accept the result.”
Okpebholo said, “For me, I’m coming as a servant to serve the Edo people. That is what is required of me, and that is what exactly I’m going to do. So, very soon, you will see a lot of development coming up in Edo.”
