The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has advised Edo State Governor-Elect, Monday Okpebholo, to prioritize governance and avoid unnecessary disputes with outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki. Ganduje gave this counsel during a visit by an Edo APC delegation, led by Okpebholo, to the APC national secretariat in Abuja on Thursday to express gratitude for the party’s support.
Okpebholo emerged victorious in the 21 September 2024 governorship election, securing 291,667 votes against his main rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, who garnered 247,274 votes. The Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata received 22,763 votes. Despite his win, Okpebholo has been involved in tensions with the outgoing administration, accusing its officials of misappropriating resources.
Ganduje urged the governor-elect to focus on fulfilling his campaign promises rather than engaging in confrontations with his predecessor. “You should not focus on the previous administration. Look forward, don’t look back and waste your time fighting the person you took over from,” he stated. He advised Okpebholo to adhere to the manifesto he had campaigned on and to prioritize socio-economic development.
In response, Okpebholo expressed appreciation for the support he received from Ganduje, President Bola Tinubu, and APC leaders. He praised Tinubu for ensuring a peaceful election in Edo State, which was conducted without any fatalities, stating, “For me, the victory is something we in Edo State rejoice about, because a new dawn has come to the Edo people.”
