By DADA AYOKHAI
Edo APC Chairman Jarret Tenebe has reassured former local government chairmanship candidates from the 2023 elections that their efforts won’t go unrewarded, emphasizing the party’s appreciation for their contributions.
Tenebe made the statement during a meeting with the Party’s Chairmanship candidate at the party’s secretariat in Ikpokpan, Benin City, where they expressed interest in the upcoming local government elections.
Tenebe praised the former candidates for their resilience, confidence, and loyalty to the party, noting that they showed remarkable determination by contesting against the incumbent government led by former Governor Godwin Obaseki while the APC was in opposition.
He thanked them for sticking out their necks despite the very many challenges facing the APC as an opposition party in the state, contesting the election to keep hope alive for the 2024 governorship election which saw the APC winning that election.
“People never believed that APC should contest that election but I believed that we should to enable us gather momentum for the governorship election which was coming then. Consultations began with party leaders and all later agreed that the party should contest that election which was keenly contested.
“The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) under Godwin Obaseki wrote the results of that election following a keenly contested exercise. Obaseki conducted that election to syphon money for the next election.
“You people did your best in the election and campaign vigorously for senator Monday Okpebholo to win the governorship election in the state. You work hard to ensure APC win the governorship election as that is the only way your stolen mandate will be returned.
“The party will stand with you and not allow your labor to be in vain. The party will not allow you to work alone as the party will work with you. The governor is very much aware of your support”.
Hon. Enahoro Aikpokpo, representing the former local government chairmanship candidates, acknowledged the challenges they faced during the 2023 elections, including intimidation, while contesting against the incumbent government.
He appealed to the APC to consider them for the upcoming local government elections, requesting the party to give them priority consideration in the forthcoming local government election in the states.
Com Idogen Emmanuel Esan South East and Barr Hope Isowa Iyare said they are party loyalists and stood with the party at the most difficult period in the state, appealing that they should be given consideration.
