A former governor of Edo State and former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, has declared interest in contesting the Edo North senatorial seat in 2023.
Reports that filtered in from Iyamho in Oshiomhole’s country home on Monday evening indicated that he made the announcement on the solemn occasion of his 70th birthday.
Oshiomhole, until Sunday night, was in Abuja where he was treated to a surprise birthday dinner by his wife, children and grandchildren at a highbrow restaurant in Wuse 2, Abuja.
The family members quietly, without Oshiomhole’s knowledge, arranged for not more than 30 persons to attend the surprise birthday dinner.
Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba; a former governorship candidate of APC in Edo, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu; and member, representing Owan Federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, were some of the prominent associates of Oshiomhole at the event.
Oshiomhole had left Abuja Monday morning for Iyamho amid rife speculations that he might take the opportunity of his birthday to make a declaration of interest in the Edo North senatorial seat.
He has been under intense pressure in recent times to declare.
Oshiomhole will be gunning for the ticket of the APC with the incumbent Senator, Francis Alimikhena, who is seeking a third term in the Senate against the run of play.
▪︎ Why I am in the race
Meanwhile, the former governor said that he took the decision after due consultation with the people of his constituents, friends, family and political associates.
“Many people have been asking me if I will run for the Senate, but I pleaded with them to wait until our national convention when I would have made up my mind.
“Now that the APC convention is over and we now have a new National Working Committee, I have decided to contest for the Senate come 2023,”Oshiomhole said.
He said that his decision to contest for the Upper chamber seat was to provide purposeful leadership for the people of his district, noting that the senate should not be seen as sabbatical leave for ex-governors.
“My intention to vie for the Senatorial seat is to ensure that the voice of Afemai land is heard and my concept of empowerment will be modified not just giving Keke Napep, generator or motocycle.
“We should be thinking of how we can bring infrastructure development to our people,” he said.
The ex-governor promised to meet with the incumbent Senator, Francis Alimikhena, who has expressed intention to recontest for the third time to resolve who will fly the ticket for the party.
“You all know how the incumbent became the candidate for Edo North senatorial district, he was denied the PDP ticket, and we allowed him to fly out party’s flag, which he had used twice to represent us.
“We voted for him twice and there is nothing wrong in him voting for me in return.
“I will personally meet with him because I want us to still keep the Afemai unity together and I think he will be the Director General for my campaign team for the election.
“So, I have resolved to contest and am sure to get the ticket and become the candidate to represent Edo North senatorial district come 2023,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Malik Afegbua, a member, APC Board of Trustees and the Deputy State Chairman of APC, Jariet Tenibe, said the senatorial ticket was given to Oshiomhole to provide leadership and rescue Edo North.
Highpoint of the meeting was a motion moved by former APC Chairman, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo, Alhaji Abubakar Akokhia, which suggested that the Senate seat be taking from Etsako East to Etsako West and given to Oshiomhole.
The motion was seconded by Mr Fred Omoregbai, APC leader in Owan East local government area, of the state. (NAN)
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