…… Accuses APC of impoverishing the’ masses
By DADA AYOKHAI
A prominent leader of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Edo State, Hon. Henry Duke Tenebe, has predicted that the party will achieve an outright victory in the September governorship election.
According to the Edo North PDP chieftain, the rigging machinery of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) is outdated and can no longer stand the test of time due to the party’s woeful performance at the federal level where the party is battling to resuscitate an already battered economy, after nine years of APC misrule
Chief Tenebe made these remarks in Benin during a chat with journalists on recent political happenings in the state.
He believes that the ruling PDP has earned the commitment of the Edo people based on the sterling performance of Gov Godwin Obaseki, stressing that the Edo people would prefer the status quo to remain rather than allow a non performer to grab power.
He further emphasized that the PDP’s governorship candidate, Bar Asue Ighodalo, is the most suitable candidate to succeed Gov. Obaseki.
Additionally, he credited the PDP’s recent popularity among Edo voters to Governor Obaseki’s outstanding performance in various sectors, particularly the infrastructural development that the state has experienced during his tenure.
Specifically, he highlighted the state government’s offer of a N70,000 minimum wage to its workers at a time when the federal government was still deliberating on the matter, adding that Edo people would rather stick with the PDP rather than trying another party at such a crucial period
Furthermore, the Etsako-born politician shared his insights on the likely outcome of the September governorship election, stating that the PDP’s winning streak in the state assembly and local government elections will remain unbroken.
In his analysis of the probable outcome of the governorship election, he explained that the PDP expects to secure up to 70 per cent of the votes in Edo South, while in Edo Central, which he identified as the party’s traditional stronghold, an 80 per cent voter support is expected.
He also pointed out that the internal crisis within the Edo Central PDP, leading to protest votes by its members, was the primary reason for the emergence of the APC gubernatorial candidate, Monday Okpevbolo, as a senator.
However, he emphasized that this issue has been resolved, indicating that the APC no longe exist in Edo Central.
Regarding the recent defection of the APC state vice chairman, Chief Francis Inegbeneki, to the ruling PDP, Hon. Tenebe interpreted the move as a sign of the PDP’s total control in Edo Central.
On the topic of APC’s influence in Edo North, Chief Tenebe mentioned that the dynamics have shifted and that both the APC and the PDP are now in a close contest within the district.
