BY BERNADETTE IDALU
The Iguobazuwa Public Field in Ovia South-West was agog on Wednesday, August 13, as chieftains and stalwarts of the All Progressives Congress (APC) mounted the stage to drum support for Gabriella Omosede Igbinedion in the race to fill the vacant Ovia Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Monday Okpebholo, Edo State Deputy Governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, assured that with the grace of God and the resolve of the electorate to exercise their civic rights on August 16, victory for the APC was certain.
“With the overwhelming support from the 23 Wards that make up Ovia Federal Constituency, Omosede Igbinedion will secure at least 90 per cent of the votes cast,”
Idahosa declared, noting that the grand finale was held in his hometown of Iguobazuwa, where the candidate was received by a mammoth crowd.
Idahosa disclosed that the party was monitoring the electoral process at all levels and assured that there would be no repeat of past attempts to subvert the people’s will.
“Other political parties are not even visible in this campaign. This will be the easiest election in Ovia,” he said.
Igbinedion, in her final appeal for votes, pledged to work closely with Idahosa to bring development projects to the constituency. “We are united in our vision for Ovia’s progress,” she said.
Chairman of the APC Campaign Council for Ovia Federal Constituency, Hon. Charity Amanyaevbo, expressed confidence that the APC would be declared winner by midday on Saturday. “The only thing we don’t know is the margin of victory,” he said.
Edo APC Chairman, Mr. Jarret Tenebe, who was represented by the party’s Secretary, Mr. Lawrence Okah, urged voters to support Igbinedion, stressing that her partnership with Idahosa in government would benefit Ovia.
Among other APC leaders who attended the rally in solidarity were Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu, Dr. Lucky Imasuen, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Mrs. Edesiri Okpebholo Anani, Andrew Uzamere, Matthew Uzamere, Senator Neda Imasuen, and Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku.
After the rally, Idahosa led the campaign team to pay homage to the Odionwere of Iguobazuwa, Pa Edward Edoayobare Igbinovia, who, alongside his council of elders, offered prayers for electoral success.
The APC’s campaign began on August 1 at Okada Town with Governor Okpebholo leading the flag-off. Over a 10-day period, the campaign team toured all Wards in the two Local Government Areas of the constituency, urging residents to vote for the party.
