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Edo Poll: APC Aspirant, Major General Airhiavbere, Confident Of Victory After Three Previous Attempts

Published

10 months ago

Feb 6, 2024.

Eko Hot Blog reports that Major General Charles Airhiavbere (retd), a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), expressed confidence in securing victory in the upcoming Edo State election, citing his extensive experience and determination after three previous unsuccessful attempts.

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Airhiavbere, who had previously contested under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also asserted his capability to dismantle the structures of the PDP, further enhancing his chances in the September poll.

Speaking at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja while submitting his Expression of Interest and nomination forms, Airhiavbere stated, “This 2024 is my fourth appearance in the Edo gubernatorial race. I have run three times on the platform of the APC and once on the platform of PDP.”

He added that, like President Muhammadu Buhari, it was now his turn to govern Edo State, emphasizing the need for a candidate with the capacity to face the incumbent governor, Godwin Obaseki.

Addressing the dynamics of the race, Airhiavbere outlined his plans for Edo State, focusing on generating internal revenue through development partnerships.

He emphasized the importance of ensuring safety and peace in the state using available security apparatus, advocating against arming untrained individuals.

Reflecting on previous elections, he shared his commitment to follow directives from the APC headquarters, stating, “If APC today says stop, I will stop. If they say move, I will move to make sure that we present the best candidates to win the election.”

Discussing the selection process in 2016, Airhiavbere revealed, “In 2016, I was among the aspirants but Obaseki was picked. At that time, we listened to party leadership. We were told the best among us was Obaseki, and that was why he was chosen.”

He criticized Obaseki for not consulting with other aspirants and highlighted that his approach in the upcoming election would involve strict adherence to instructions from the APC headquarters.

As the APC primary in Edo State gains momentum, only 12 out of 23 initial aspirants have purchased the N50 million nomination forms, indicating a competitive field for the party’s candidacy.