His congratulatory message is coming one month after his alleged anointed candidate, Dennis Idahosa, lost to Okpebholo in the February 22 APC primary election.
Okpebholo polled 12,433 votes to defeat Idahosa, Dr Blessing Agbomhere, and nine other aspirants after the previous poll was declared inconclusive.
Idahosa, however, rejected the result and dragged the ruling party to court for allegedly robbing him of his mandate.
As of Sunday, news filtered in that the APC had replaced Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, who was earlier announced by the Edo governorship candidate as running mate with Idahosa, at a stakeholders meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima, Ganduje, and a number of APC bigwigs in attendance.
In the same vein, the acting state chairman of the party, Jarret Tenebe, has announced that both Okpebholo and Idahosa will be officially presented to President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Monday.
But barely 24 hours after Idahosa was selected as a running mate, Oshiomhole released a press statement through his senior aide, Victor Oshioke, in Abuja congratulating Okpebholo for emerging as the party’s governorship flag bearer in Edo State.
The senator representing Edo North also urged him to set aside his differences and the intrigues of the primaries by extending a hand of fellowship to his co-contestants and aggrieved stakeholders of the party in the state.
The statement read, “Dear Senator Monday Okpebholo, I extend my heartfelt congratulations on your well-deserved emergence as the flag bearer of our esteemed party, the All Progressives Congress, for the forthcoming Edo State governorship election.
“Your victory in the closely contested primaries reflects the belief of our party members in your unwavering dedication and commitment to our party’s core values.
“As we embark on this crucial journey, I urge you to leave behind the intrigues of the primaries and extend a hand of fellowship to all those who contested with you for the ticket, as well as to all stakeholders of our party in the state.
“Together, we must forge a strong, united front that resonates with the electorate and secures victory in the governorship election on September 21, 2024.
“Your decision to choose Hon. Dennis Idahosa, as your running mate, demonstrates great wisdom and foresight. Your joint ticket presents the people of Edo State with the best option to usher in a dynamic, progressive, and responsive government that aligns with the aspirations of our vibrant youth population.
“I am confident in your leadership abilities and believe that, with the support of all APC members across the state, we can restore Edo State to the path of progressive governance, sustainable socioeconomic growth, and political inclusion in all its ramifications. Yours in the struggle for the rebirth of a greater Edo State that works for all.”
