Shettima: Edo needs a builder… Okpebholo will walk the talk

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has asked the people of Edo state to vote for Monday Okpebholo, candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 21 governorship election.

Shettima spoke on Saturday during the grand finale of the APC governorship campaign in Benin.

According to a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, senior special assistant to the president on media and communications, Shettima noted that voting for the APC candidate would birth a functional state.

He said Edo needs a strategic thinker, a builder, and a man of the people who can rally the people of the state.

“Whether you are a civil servant or a trader, whether you are Esan or Afemai, whether you are a Christian or a Muslim, whether you are young or old, male or female, our expectations are the same,” Shettima said.

“We all seek the same thing – a functional Edo state, a state that can provide opportunities for all of you to thrive.

“What unites us most is not our differences but our collective desire for a nation that works, a state that meets our needs.”

Shettima highlighted the recent improvement in revenue allocation to all tiers of government, and urged the people of the state to vote massively for APC in order to benefit from “the wind of positive change”.

“I assure you that this is the best time to be a governor in Nigeria. The economic reforms of the past year, though tough, have laid the groundwork for better opportunities ahead,” Shettima said.

“With increased allocations to the states, your incoming government has more resources to bankroll programmes and projects that benefit you.”

The vice-president noted that Okpebholo is the most qualified to assume leadership of the state.

“What Edo state needs is a strategic thinker, a builder, a man of the people, a man who can rally the great people of Edo state,” he added.

“Edo state needs a man who will open his doors to the people, hear their cries and lead with the fear of God.

“Edo does not need a man who knows it all. Edo needs a man who feels the pulse of his people, knows where it hurts, and has a story to tell in terms of where he is coming from.

“Edo needs a compassionate leader, one who is in tune with the yearnings and aspirations of Edo people.

“Edo needs a leader with the tenacity and knack for radical change and influence.

“Let me sum it up by quoting Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States, who said ‘The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets people to do the greatest things.

“Therefore, in Senator Monday Okpebholo and his deputy, Mr Dennis Idahosa, we have two gentlemen who will walk the talk.

“They will complement each other. The humility that has brought them thus far will also manifest in their governing of Edo state.

“With these two grassroots politicians and distinguished public servants, Edo will witness a positive redefining and reshaping of governance.”

‘VOTE FOR APC, REAP MORE DIVIDENDS OF DEMOCRACY’

Also speaking, Senate President Godswill Akpabio urged the people to vote for the APC in order to reap more dividends of democracy.

“The presence of many governors and other dignitaries here shows our unity of purpose towards helping Edo state to take a new direction,” Akpabio said.

“We have governors from the north, east, south and west here present. Joining the party in the centre will be good for the development of Edo state. I have confidence in the candidate and his running mate.

“They are a young team that will help secure the future of Edo state.”

On his part, Abdullahi Ganduje, APC national chairman, said the people of Edo have suffered in the last eight years and they needed to be liberated.

He said Okpebholo is the right person to lead the state to the promised land.

“In the last eight years, Edo state has suffered and the state is now downgraded in terms of infrastructure, security, and general development,” Ganduje said.

“Benin should have the outlook of a modern city but today, it is looking for a person who will uplift the state. Monday is the person to do so.”