By: Ukato Thomas
The combination of Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo and Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa as the Edo 2024 All Progressives Congress (APC) Gubernatorial candidate and running mate is not only a masterstroke for election victory but a recipe for accelerated growth, progress, and development for Edo State.
This is a result of their enormous public and private sector experience, pedigree, antecedents, achievements, popularity, widespread acceptability, passion for service and societal cohesion, development, growth, and above all, empathy.
Senator Monday Okpebholo, aka Akpakomiza, has been described in glowing terms as a jinx breaker and record smasher. Since the beginning of this present democratic dispensation in 1999, the Edo Central Senatorial district has been dominated by the People’s Democratic Party as the party has repeatedly produced the Distinguished Senators who have represented the district. APC has tried unsuccessfully to break the jinx for years.
Riding on the enormous goodwill he enjoys across the Senatorial district which is consequent upon his unassuming but altruistic service to the senatorial district, Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo broke the jinx that has held the All Progressives Congress captive and in the last general election, was returned elected as the distinguished Senator of the federal republic of Nigeria representing Edo Central. A feat he seamlessly and effortlessly achieved even amid the boisterous but ephemeral Obidient Movement rave.
Distinguished Senator Akpakomiza has over the years, as a private individual quietly and passionately served his people away from media coverage. His projects litter the length and breadth of Edo Central and beyond, and the services he renders to his people (like the free bus services) have brought enormous relief to the people in the face of increasing hardship. His ideology is “Just do it” hence doesn’t expend much energy in verbal elucidations that seem to dissipate the internal combustion for action. He is a doer and an empathetic Leader set to smash old records and set new ones.
On the other hand, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa is a vibrant youth whose incursion into politics and legislative representation has revolutionalized the perception of people’s representation in Edo State. His vibrancy as a serving two-time member of the House of Representatives and the number of projects he was able to attract to his federal constituency in his first term have earned him the fond, but evocative appellation of “Mr. Project”.
As a federal lawmaker, he has become a reference point, setting the benchmark for others to emulate. His repeated electoral triumphs against known political dynasties and behemoths in his federal constituency have earned him the sobriquet, as succinctly captured in the descriptive words of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu: “A Giant Slayer”.
The giant slayer is very passionate about service and alleviating the living standards of the people. His penchant for loyalty and teamwork is unwavering and a clear indication of the amount of support Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo will enjoy from him as Deputy Governor.
The combination of these gentlemen, who are known performers with rich knowledge of our issues, prevailing conditions, and complexities as a people and whose love for Edo State knows no bounds, when elected as Governor and Deputy, Edo State is set for fast-tracked growth and development. They are empathetic and place the collective interest of the people over personal interest. They are both young, vibrant, and in their prime, enthusiastic about making positive impacts.
