Less than a month to the Edo state governorship election, Dr. Dennis Osahon Aikorogie, the governorship candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM) has withdrawn from the race and defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Aikorogie made the announcement at a rally organized by the APC in Benin City, where he publicly endorsed the party’s candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
He cited his belief in Okpebholo’s ability to bring progress and development to Edo State as the reason for his defection.
Speaking to the crowd, Aikorogie said, “I am here today to lend my support for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and his Deputy, Dennis Idahosa. I am coming with my teeming supporters, my members, and my party faithful to come and lend our support for the candidacy of Monday Okpebholo because we believe in his person, because he is reliable and he is a doer.”
Aikorogie’s defection is seen as a significant boost to the APC’s chances in the upcoming election.
His endorsement of Okpebholo highlights the importance of leadership and experience in governance, and his decision is expected to influence the voting decisions of his supporters.
The NRM former governorship candidate disclosed that over 5,000 of his followers would be defecting to the APC with him.
He urged the people of Edo State to look beyond the federal government’s issues and trust Okpebholo’s leadership, saying, “We must redeem Edo State from corporate brigandage.”
Aikorogie expressed confidence in Okpebholo’s ability to transform the state’s economy, create jobs, and develop infrastructure. He said, “If Okpebholo could perform wonderfully well as a senator, I believe that he still has the capacity to turn the fortune of the state around if voted as the governor of the state.”
