My popularity will win Edo for APC -Osunbor

Sen. Oserheimen Osunbor, an aspirant for the forthcoming Sept. 21, Edo governorship election has said that his popularity and acceptability will win the state for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said this on Thursday in Abuja at the APC National Secretariat while speaking with newsmen after picking the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to contest the election.

Newsatlarge reports that Osunbor was elected governor of Edo in April 2007 but the Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal declared his election invalid on March 20, 2008.

He said during his stint in the Edo Government House, he left his footprint in the area of infrastructure, civil service reforms, health and education sectors.

He stressed that the forthcoming Edo governorship election was a must win for the APC, adding that the party could not afford to lose the state.

“For many of us, this coming election is a must win for Edo, 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 the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2020 must not be allowed to afflict us a second time.

“For APC as a party, Edo 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 and even beyond APC,” he said.

Osunbor said his supporters, well-wishers and all people of goodwill across Edo and beyond would be elated and relieved to see him in the state’s governorship race.

He added that the people of the state were yearning for good governance and desired to see its resources being used to develop it and transform the lives of its people for the better.

“I want to go there to be able to positively impact the people of Edo.
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 over 17 months from 2007 to 2008.

“They 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,” he said.

Osunbor expressed confidence that given its words, the party’s leadership would conduct proper primaries, devoid of undue influence and manipulations.

He said he had no political Godfather, adding that God is his Godfather.

He said if elected as Edo next governor, he would give priority to infrastructure development, electricity, education and healthcare among others.

He added that contrary to media reports, he had cordial relationship with Adams Oshiohmole as one of the party’s leaders in Edo and its former national chairman and Edo governor.

Osunbor said he believed in the principal of zoning and rotating of the state governor and other political offices, adding that such practice inculcates a sense of unity, oneness and belonging.

He critised those saying he was too old for the job, saying: ” they should come challenge me on a race or press-up, it is all about how healthy you are, not about age.

“Am as healthy as any young man, if you doubt it, come less take a work,” he said.

He however added that in as much as he was optimistic that I would win the party’s ticket, he was not aversed to reconciliation.

Earlier, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, David Imuse (rtd) and Sen. Monday Okpebholo picked the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination forms being sold at #50,000,000.(https://newsatlarge.ng)