... Says APC must recapture Edo State!
Kingsley Abavo (Managing Editor), Benin
As the Governorship election in Edo State next year draw near, Gen. Charles Ariavbere retd. on Monday, 20 November, 2023 officially announced his intent to vie for the sole ticket of his political party: the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He made the announcement in Benin, the State Capital at a gathering of the APC members, Oredo Ward 1; his primary constituency.
Addressing the gathering, he asserts that he is the most qualified at this time for the exalted seat of the State Governor.
He flaunted his pedigree as the former accountant - general of the Nigeria army, and the immediate past executive director, finance and administration of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and other personal virtues as evidence of his qualification.
“This is an opportunity for me to give you my scorecard of what we have done in NDDC. When I got there, we didn’t have approved budgets from 2021, 2022 and 2023 and these are things we put in place in less than five months of my stay in NDDC.
“I have always insisted that Edo remains under the Federal Government because this is the heartbeat of the nation.
“So, I have contested an election in Edo State to lead Edo people to a land of prosperity, a land of safety and a land of infrastructural development and that is why, five days after I retired in 2011, I joined the party at the federal level at that time."
Saying Edo State cannot continue to be in opposition to the Federal Government; he declared APC must win next year's Governorship election.
“That is why I decided to throw in my cap into the ring. We must be prepared!"
Further, he asserts having made two previous attempts at the governorship of Edo State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDD) in 2012 and primary of the APC in 2016, it should ordinarily be his turn to fly the ticket of his Party and go to Osadebay Avenue as the Governor, next year.
Borrowing the assertion of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his electioneering campaign; 'Emilokan' Ariavbere said; 'GC O ghe sor egbe' (it is the turn of Gen. Charles).
Promising to do things differently from the usual in the past to positively impact Edo people with governance, Ariavbere solicits the unwavering support of APC members in his quest to clinch the party ticket.
As he asserts; that the candidacy of Gen. Charles Ariavbere retd. has all it takes to fly the APC flag to victory against all other contenders for the Governorship of Edo State next year.
The retired army general assured that his administration will not only restore the respect due the throne of the Benin Monarchy, but would make the abundant cultural heritage of the people earner of hard foreign currency.
"As the first child of my father who was the Ezama of Benin Kingdom, I know the respect that is due the Throne.
"And economically, the royalty should bring money through tourism. I can assure you, that my government will respect the Monarchy; the Oba of Benin, he is the father of us all."
Addressing the gathering, the APC State youth leader, Tony Kabaka described Ariavbere as the man of capacity, capability and competence hence he deserve to be the Party flag bearer and Governor of the State. "My General, we know your weight, we know your capacity."
Also, Dan Ighile, Ariavbere's campaign coordinator, urged APC members to give the retired army general the ticket because never again, should a man who lacks the capacity and requisite personality be made to fly the Party's flag.
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