Ahead of the 2016 governorship election in Edo State, some governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have come to foster peace and unity among members of the party in the State, declaring that they don’t want to lose the Edo to the opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The three APC governors who were in Edo are Alhji Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto, Mr. Simon Lalong of Plateau and Alhaji Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State.
Briefing the State House Correspondents at the Government House, Benin City, Wednesday, the spokesman of the delegates and Governor of Plateau State, Mr. Simon Lalong said they were in Edo to support the party to maintain peace in order to ensure victory for the party in the forthcoming governorship election. He said, “Three governors are here this evening. Three governors, one from Plateau, from Osun and Sokoto are here for a very simple mission.
After the Progressives Governors’ meeting last week, one thing that was very cardinal that was discussed was that APC would not want to lose any state again; more so, when it is an APC state. And for that, two elections are coming up: one in Edo and one in Ondo. So, two committees were set up with three governors each. These committees will move into the states. For governors, we also agreed that we are tired of sitting and hearing what is happening from there. It is better to go to the states and get first hand information. This time, we are also going to be alert to support the state so that there will be no excuse for any defeat in Edo State.”
Governor Lalong said they would hold a meeting with party elders and take brief presentations from governorship aspirants and as well give appropriate advice. According to Governor Lalong, “Today, we are here, with two of my colleagues. We are going to have a very brief meeting with the party and elders, and of course take submissions or very brief presentations from the aspirants because our duty here is not decide who will become the candidate, but we will have to look at them, and if there are things we can advice, we can also give our appropriate advice as governors. So, that is our mission today. And I know that when the election comes, what you will hear in Edo is victory all the way for APC, not PDP.”
