By Chesa Chesa
President Bola Tinubu has called on the Edo State governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to prioritise the development of his state while assuring him of the full support of the Federal Government and the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF).
President Tinubu advised on Thursday in Abuja at a meeting with the leadership of the All Progressives Congress party, where the Edo governor-elect and the deputy governor-elect, Rep. Dennis Idahosa, presented their certificates of return.
President Tinubu emphasised the importance of good governance and delivering results to the people of Edo State.
‘’Governor-elect, you can now face the task of development. We are here to work with you. You have seen the progressive governors of APC. They are truly progressive. Work with them. Learn the ropes, and I believe you are up to the task,” he said.
Acknowledging the challenges of democracy, particularly in emerging economies like Nigeria, the President added, ”You have earned the victory. Democracy is difficult, particularly in emerging democracies and economies like ours.
”If you hear complaints from places like America, you know how difficult it is to navigate democracy. But it remains the best form of government. ”
The President congratulated Senator Okpebholo and his deputy and described them as a ”good symbol of people ordained by God to work together.”
”You started as rivals and ended us as partners. You are a symbol of good understanding in politics; the man at our party’s helm has been through it before.
”In Kano, he was a front runner, became a second runner, and became a deputy before he eventually became a governor,” he said.
President Tinubu acknowledged the role played by former Edo state governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, the progressive governors and the APC leadership in the successful outcome of the gubernatorial election in Edo.
”I saw Adams Oshiomhole radiating in joy… sincerely the governors showed up in Edo, they impressed me. They defended the party. They worked hard for the party,” he remarked.
President Tinubu also commended INEC and the security agencies for ensuring a peaceful and organised election, with no reports of violence or disturbances.
”I must thank the security agencies. There was no bloodshed, no riot, people voted and went back to their houses in peace, and the fears dissipated instantly, ” he said.
The President urged the party leadership and membership to remain united and focused on achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda.
”Never mind the noise makers. I do a lot of statistical sampling and results. When you hear politicians saying ‘all politics is local’, you must respect that notion.
”When you see the stability in the Edo North senatorial district, we see a man that won the Central senatorial district and a candidate who has won a seat in the south senatorial district; we did a match- which turned out to be a winning match,” he said.
Speaking to to State House journalists afterwards, Okpebholo said: “I’m coming as a servant to serve the Edo people. That is what is required of me, and that is what exactly I’m going to do. So very soon, you will see a lot of development coming up in Edo. We are going to employ teachers. We are going to renovate our schools…a lot will be happening over time. With time, you recognise that a new dawn has happened”.
He also pledged his willingness to assimilate and with with any good ideas offered by the opposition, declaring that “if they have an idea that is beautiful, that is acceptable by the people, then why not? My door is open to everybody”, even as he said he he was waiting to be congratulated by the opposition parties.
Former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, who accompanied Okpebholo, said “my joy is the fact that Edo people will now have a governor that they can hug, they can touch, they can feel, and the governor that will open the doors. Edo State people now have a governor that will not send pregnant women to jail on account of N20,000 fine by a mobile court and who might end up delivering inside prison.
“We have a man with compassion, with human feeling; because governance is not just about building roads and schools. It is that human touch; a governor with empathy, humble enough to recognise that public trust is not like a corporate Chief Executive.”
