Edo 2024: Vote For Me as APC Flagbearer, Okosun Appeals to Delegates

By Reporter

An Aspirant in the Edo State 2024 Governorship Election, under the All Progressives Congress, APC, former speaker of the  State House of Assembly, and former chairman of the party in the state, Hon Thomas Ebozele-Okosun has passionately appealed to the members to vote and elect him as their flagbearer while discountenancing claims in some quarters that the emergence of many aspirants will negativity affect the fortunes of  the party at the election but clarified that the situation will  deepen the chances  of the electorate to choose the right Person to reposition the state and better the lives of the people.

Okosun made the passionate appeal and clarification when he and his team of supporters as well as  other leaders of the p arty visited the Edo State Secretariat of the APC in Benin City to declare his aspiration for the ticket  of the party  and candidacy for the 2024 Governorship Election.

The atmosphere at the secretariat was electrified last Thursday December 1, 2023, with the visit of the former Speaker Conference Of Nigerian Speakers; former State Chairman, ACN, APC and former Pro Chancellor, Tayo Akpata University of Education, Edo State.

Addressing leaders and members of APC, Okosun said he best understands the path of repositioning Edo State having held sensitive positions which relates directly with multi-facet complexities of Edo State, cutting across both elites and the grassroots as well as all arms of government.

Several party faithful spoke in support of Okosun, including a former Ward 3 Councilor in Esan West Local Government Area, Queen Ifidon who recalled how the aspirant mentored her and other women in her Local Government Area to embrace active participation in politics which made her to emerge as Councilor.

Ifidon added: “During my tenure at the Local Government Council unlike many of my colleagues, who complained of extortion from their political leader ,’Uncle T’ as we call him, did not take a dime from me. Instead he exhibited a rare character of transparency and leadership which made us to succeed in our discharge of quality services to the electorate.

“He is the right person for the ticket of the APC in Edo State as he will certainly beat candidates from other political parties to emerge governor come 2024.

“He is easily accessible, highly educated, exposed to the challenges of the state and understands the complexities of addressing  social-economic needs of the people and best equipped to solve them”

Another notable member Hon Irene Henry added that: “When you talk about competences, capacity, man of good character and integrity as well as intelligence, Thomas Ebozele-Okosun is there.

“He is the right person to govern Edo State at this point in time. He understands the issues at stake right now, having been the Chairman of ACN which was deep in addressing challenges in the grassroots, be it security, education, food supply, affordable housing and healthcare. We should line up behind Him.”

On his part Hon Godswill Okuogbo described Okosun as “…a catalyst in the chemistry of development, whether human capital or infrastructural development, Hon Okosun is there.”

“When one considers his track records in serviing his  local community as  as a legislator, legal practitioner, business man and now representative in intercontinental organizations such as AUDA NEPAD, APRM. He is essentially dependable and results oriented and Humble.

“Okosun has been there for the development of the party as well as the state. He is a Man who believes that it is political party that drives the process of politics and development which enhances speedy dispensation of democracy dividends to the people.”

 Pa Francis Oleabhie Ehinomen who vouched for the competences, integrity and resourcefulness of the aspirant said: “I am not in his campaign because of any pecuniary benefits, but because he has been of immense help to the family, but I want him to extend those qualities which stand him out amongst other aspirants to serve the entire state so that others can smile like us in the family, as he has a thorough grasp of the challenges facing the state and strategies to resolve them for the benefits of all”

Okosun had earlier visited Emaudo in Ekpom, Ward 4 in Esan West Constituency and the Local Government Secretariat of the APC to receive blessings from his  people towards his aspiration.

The  Chairman APC Esan West  Local Government Area Chapter  Mr Goddey Okhilua  popularly called ‘Jealousy’ commended Okosun on the  high level of loyalty to the APC for decades and his credentials which he parades and said the party was looking for such persons with the right capacity to defeat candidates from other political parties and put Edo State back to reckoning amongst the Progressive States in Nigeria.

Other APC leaders in Ekpoma including chairman of ward 5, Roland ljeremen and  leader ward 3, Mrs Ayemere urged Okosun to reach out to all members of the party across the state to support him at the primaries.

With a campaign theme – ‘Divine Mandate’ Okosun exudes an uncommon confidence towards to pick the APC ticket and going ahead to win the 2024 Governorship Election.

The member of National Governing Council (NGC); Africa Union Development Agency (AUDA); member New Partnership For  Africa’s Development (NEPAD); and member, African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), representing South-South used his consultations to tell APC leaders and members to say: “Here I am send Me.”

The former speaker told the media that his chances in the race for the ticket have been strengthened by  the reception at the secretariat coupled with his track records of unblemished service to the people in public ervice and loyalty to the party  at different levels of coordination and supervision of party affairs.