_By Hon Desmond Ugbo_
In a surprising turn of events, the Edo State governorship candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Dr. Dennis Osahon Aikoriogie, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) with his sizeable contingent of supporters. This dramatic move comes just weeks before the highly anticipated September 21st Edo State governorship election.
Addressing a roaring crowd of APC faithful at a mega rally in Egor Local government area, in the state capital, Dr. Aikoriogie explained his reasons for abandoning the NRM banner. He cited the impressive track record and personality of the APC candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, as the primary motivation behind his defection.
“I am here today to lend my support for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator Monday Okpebholo and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa,” Aikoriogie declared to the cheering throngs. “We believe in his person because he is reliable, God-fearing and he is a doer. This time around, we need people who do things and not people who talk and no action.”
The NRM gubernatorial aspirant went on to praise Okpebholo’s strong rapport with the people, even during his time as a senator representing the Edo Central Senatorial District. Aikoriogie expressed confidence in Okpebholo’s ability to turn the fortunes of Edo State around, should he emerge victorious in the upcoming election.
“Senator Monday Okpebholo has been relating with the people, you can see and even from his senatorial district, even before he became a senator,” Aikoriogie noted. “Someone like him as governor who has sympathy for the people and not people who came all the way from the blues and want to govern the state without any track records of human relationship or corporate social responsibility for the people.”
Aikoriogie, who promises to be bringing over 5,000 of his supporters to the APC fold, urged the people of Edo State to trust in Okpebholo’s ability to revive the state’s economy and create opportunities for the youth, despite the current economic challenges.
“My advice is for the people to join hands and vote in the APC despite global economic downturn which people commonly blame on the federal government level,” he said. “We believe that with the new administration of Okpebholo, Edo State will be different.”
The APC Mega Rally, which witnessed a jubilant display of party supporters and proponents of the Okpebholo-Idahosa ticket, has undoubtedly added a new dimension to the Edo gubernatorial race. With the defection of the NRM candidate, the battle for the state’s top job has become even more intense, as the APC seeks to consolidate its overwhelming popularity to take over power in the state.
