The governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the Edo State guber election, Olumide Akpata, has said that the people of Edo State are currently not focusing on the issue of zoning in the upcoming September 21 elections, as they are focused on having the best candidate to govern the state win the election.
Akpata said this in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday, where he addressed concerns as his political opponents in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives’ Congress (APC) are being represented by candidate who hail from Edo Central, while he (Akpata), is from the same zone as current governor Godwin Obaseki, Edo South.
However, Akpata said that the “issue of zoning has taken a backseat” because “people want to see a competent person in government.”
He said, “Most people have dumped that hang up, if I may call it that. Most people have come to accept that zoning is a party affair, and my party decided to throw our primaries open and to allow for the best man to win. The people have also come to recognise that development knows no tribe.
“The people are not stupid, they have checked and they have seen that even in the Edo Central zone that is agitating, some people are agitating on their behalf. They have had several opportunities at the federal level, ministers who have done nothing to develop the area. So, people realise that it is not so much about where you come from, but about a party that is interested in good governance.”
He then appreciated Peter Obi’s endorsement of his candidacy during the election campaign period, saying, “It’s making a whole lot of difference because he is one individual that people trust. People trust Peter Obi because his word is his bond, people trust Peter Obi because he is a performer, and so, his endorsement of my candidacy is worth its weight in gold, and so, I make no bones about it and I will not hesitate to take advantage of the fact that he supports my candidacy.
“And those of you who know him and people who know Peter Obi well will know that he only associates himself with candidates who he has confidence in his or her abilities. And so, I’m fortunate, I’m privileged that he is willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with me on various podiums across the state.”
Akpata then spoke of his campaign run, revealing that he had, as a candidate, gone round the state twice, and was about to complete his third run of the state in his campaign tour on Thursday night.
He said, “It’s a good vibe because the people are daring to believe again, the people are ready to come out to vote. As you know, Edo State is the hotbed of the Obidient movement of the Labour Party. And indeed, we are very optimistic that we are going to unleash the power of the people of Saturday and they are going to vote for their party of choice, which is the Labour Party, because they are tired, they are frustrated with government that is performing so abysmally- I am referring to the current PDP government at state level and APC government at federal.”
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
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