Politics

Edo 2024: Lobby For APC Deputy Governorship Candidate Hots Up

Published

2 years ago

March 10, 2024

Editor

Ahead of the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State, the lobby for the deputy governorship candidate for the All Progressives Congress, APC, has increased in tempo.

Already, many political heavyweights and interest groups have continued to mount pressure on the governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and the party leadership to consider their candidate as the running mate.

One of the names that has been prominently featured is Hon. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma fondly known as E.J, who was a former member of the House of Representatives.

A Diaspora group by name N’Edo Ghama Diaspora Group, USA, believes that E.J has the legislative and executive experience having worked as a Special Adviser under the administration of Senator Adams Oshiomhole as the state governor.

Besides, the group believes that EJ’s connection with some past American Presidents will be an added advantage to the state if he emerges as the deputy governor.

In a statement on Sunday, N’Edo Ghama Diaspora Group, USA, said, “When considering and shopping for a running mate in any election as regards the office of the deputy governor of a state, there are a number of factors to be considered in the choice of person who would fit into that office, and by extension, one who can compliment his/her boss. There is a need to settle for one who has a wealth of experience and huge electoral value.

“Getting a good candidate to fly the party’s flag in an election that would be keenly contested is not enough to guarantee the party’s victory at the polls without a running mate whose electoral value cuts across all spheres of the society.

“One of the names that came to our mind when we were considering someone as running mate to APC Governorship Candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo in the forthcoming September gubernatorial election in Edo State is Hon. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma (EJ). A former member House of Representatives ( Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency), a Federal Commissioner of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), a man who had occupied different executive offices and positions. He was a member, Board of Directors of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, and served the nation by helping to put NRC on the right path.

“He also contributed immensely to the development of Edo State as SA to the former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. He is a man of goodwill who has used his influence and connections to affect many lives positively. He is highly connected both locally and Internationally.

“Hon. EJ is one who has great respect for our traditional institutions, and he is well recognized by the same. Well known by our religious bodies and sundries with a few exceptions. He should be the one to be considered. He, who the cap fits, let him wear it.

“We therefore want to urge and respectfully request that all well-meaning party leaders and party faithful in Edo South and across the three senatorial districts of the State should do well to nominate Hon. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma as running mate to Sen. Monday Okpebholo. This combination will make an unbeatable team. In fact, Ikpoba-Okha LGA, with their numerical strength, electoral value, and huge population, deserved the number two seat in Edo State.”

The statement was signed by Pastor Timothy Ogie President, Dr. Obama Asemota, Elders Council USA, Professor Osa Obasogie, Elders Council, USA and Comrade Usunobun, Elders Council, USA .

Related Topics:#edo poll Edo APC Edo Guber

Up Next

Edo Guber: TCO Congratulates Okpebholo On His Emergence As APC Candidate

Don't Miss

Fresh Suit Asks Court To Deregister Labour Party, Bar Its Candidates

Comments

Politics

Defection: Peter Obi Simply Looking For ‘Food Is Ready’ Party – Wike

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe on former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his recent defection.

Speaking during a media parley on Wednesday, Wike said Obi is looking for a ‘food is ready’ political party.

The minister said, “Obi was in APGA, he couldn’t build APGA. He went to Labour, he ran away again from Labour. All he’s looking for is food is ready political party.”

Recall that Obi and Rabi’u Kwankwaso, former presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, on Sunday officially joined the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Politics

2027: Nobody Wants Fubara – Wike

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that there is widespread support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to return in 2027.

Speaking during his monthly media parley on Wednesday in Abuja, Wike suggested that Fubara can’t claim to enjoy unanimous backing from the public.

He explained that the political crisis in Rivers State had earlier been addressed through the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, particularly during impeachment proceedings initiated against Fubara.

According to Wike, the President advised all parties to embrace peace, leading to the withdrawal of the impeachment move by the State House of Assembly after agreements were reached.

Wike, however, alleged that the governor failed to fully adhere to the terms agreed during the arbitration process.

Reacting to claims that the people were urging Fubara to seek re-election in 2027, Wike rejected the assertion, insisting that such narratives were misleading.

Wike maintained that appearing before the President for arbitration required respect for the outcome, noting that all parties were expected to uphold their commitments.

He said: “The President, intervened in the impeachment proceeding. I said withdraw, let their be peace. And the governor said, look, I’m ready for peace. Look, I’m no longer interested for this. I will not do this. The Assembly went and withdrew the impeachment.

“Having withdrawn the impeachment, he is now too smart on what you agreed before the President. It’s like when you go on arbitration.”

Wike continued, “This one is what I don’t like. Nobody wants anybody. Please, don’t tell me that. Excuse me.

You can go and tell that to the market people or children. Two years that people say he should come out. Who told you that?

“Which politician will say that I was sleeping they came and woke me? Even if people people come to wake you, can’t you say, no, I won’t do it. I’m not prepared for it.

“That you appeared before a President of the country on arbitration, the two parties on arbitration, and these people respected Mr. President, and have done their own part.”

Politics

2027: Wike Opens Up On Preferred Rivers Guber Candidate

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday said he hasn’t endorsed any candidate for the Rivers state gubernatorial election in 2027.

Wike stated this on Wednesday during his monthly media parley in Abuja.

Wike said that the endorsement will come only after a meeting by the joint coalition in the state.

He said: “I haven’t endorsed anybody. And I can’t endorse anybody until the joint coalition meets.”

DAILY POST reports that questions have been raised concerning the fate of current governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, in 2027.

The FCT Minister was reported to have endorsed former State Commissioner for Works, Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly, as his preferred candidate for the Rivers State governorship election.

Sources told DAILY POST that Wike settled for George after a closed-door meeting with key political stakeholders in Port Harcourt on Monday.