The Edo State deputy governor Hon. Dennis Idahosa has expressed optimism of the All Progressives Congress (APC) victory in the House of Representatives bye-election for the Ovia federal constituency scheduled for August 16.
The deputy governor expressed this optimism on Sunday during the party’s campaign in Okada, Ovia North East Local government area of the state.
Idahosa, who vacated the seat upon his election as the state’s deputy governor in August 2024, said there was no better candidate than Omosede Igbinedion, a former occupant of the seat.
While noting that the Ovia federal constituency seat was never vacant to be occupied by another party, Idahosa commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for finding him worthy to be his deputy.
He told the crowd who defied the rain for the rally to remain resolute in their support for the APC and the SHINE mantra of the governor.
“We have looked around for the person that has the competence, the capacity, that is consistent, reliable.
“During the search, the wife of the President of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu said there is no female representative from Edo state at the National Assembly.
“This singular reason informed the party’s decision to have Omosede Igbinedion as our flag bearer,” he said.
Idahosa commended the governor for ongoing developmental projects in Ovia federal Clconstituency.
According to him, “starting from Okhun road in Oluku Ward, from the express to Siluko road, over a stretch of 7Km. As we speak, the road is under construction by Setraco.
“In Oghede to Aduna, the place was a deathtrap, but the governor, as we speak, is tarring the road up to Ekenhuan village, and from there, he will take it to Gele-gele.
“He has also planned to do something about the old Siluko road that is in a bad shape, that will make Ovia people happy.”
He told the electorates to be on the standby as the party is geared up for a ward to ward campaign in the coming week.
On her part, the canduate, Igbinedion expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, governor Okpebholo, party’s leaders and aspirants who voluntarily stepped down for her
She used the opportunity to attest to the fact that Idahosa played a key role in her political journey.
The candidate who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before the governorship election in the state described the opposition party as a “sinking ship.”
“Today, it is very clear that the ship has sunk. It has sunk even more than the Titanic and will never rise again.”
She, however, advocated for tenure elongation for federal legislators of Edo state origin to allow for optimal networking, facilitation, and attraction of projects to the state.
