Okpebholo, deputy hail Imo gov as dependable ally 

APC mocks PDP for protesting at INEC office over Edo poll

Edo State governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo, has said the actions of Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, before, during and after the recent governorship poll in the state, gave him out as “a father, brother and leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as a dependable ally.”

Okpebholo, accompanied by his running mate, Denis Idahosa; Senator Adams Oshiomhole, among others, hailed the Imo governor during “a thank you visit” at the Government House, Owerri.

He said they were happy with the efforts of Uzodimma in the electoral process, pledging support, and to work closely with him to uplift the ruling party and serve the nation at large.

Responding, Uzodimma assured the governor-elect and the people of Edo of cooperation.

Meanwhile, Edo APC has mocked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following the latter’s protest against the outcome of the governorship election.

On Wednesday, PDP leaders in Edo marched to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Benin City to restate their rejection of the election result. The PDP had rejected the poll results before INEC declared APC’s Okpebholo the winner. It claimed the results were manipulated in favour of the APC.

During their protest, PDP leaders called on the electoral body to sack its Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Edo and declare Asue Ighodalo as the winner of the poll.

Reacting, the Publicity Secretary of APC in Edo, Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, derided the opposition party leaders, saying no amount of protest would change the election result.

“The PDP can protest as much as they want, but that cannot change the result of the election. They can only approach the tribunal with evidence if they think their mandate has been taken from them.”

“Edo people, who do not want the continuation of a PDP government, passed a referendum with their voter cards and gave the APC the mandate to govern the state from November 12,” he said.

The APC chieftain advised PDP leaders not to waste their time calling on President Bola Tinubu and former Governor Oshiomhole to give them their mandate because they have nothing to do with it.

“It is not about calling on President Tinubu and Senator Oshiomhole to give their mandate back to them. The gentlemen have nothing to do with their mandate. They can approach the tribunal to ventilate their grievances,” he said.