The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to announce Dennis Idahosa, the representative of Ovia constituency of Edo State in the House of Representatives, as the running mate to APC’s gubernatorial candidate for the forthcoming election in Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo. The unveiling is scheduled to take place in Abuja on Monday, March 18.
A senior aide to Idahosa confirmed his acceptance of the deputy gubernatorial candidacy following discussions with party officials. It was further revealed that Idahosa would withdraw his lawsuit related to the party’s primary election due to the intervention of prominent figures.
Initially, there were speculations that Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, a former representative of Oredo constituency in the House of Representatives, would be Senator Okpebholo’s running mate. However, strategic considerations led to the selection of Idahosa.
Ogbeide-Ihama, who had intended to defect to the APC, had garnered support for Governor Godwin Obaseki’s opponent, Asue Ighodalo, in the governorship race.
Jarret Tenebe, the acting chairman of the APC in Edo State, confirmed that preparations had been finalized to unveil the party’s deputy gubernatorial candidate but refrained from disclosing the individual’s name until the official announcement.
Tenebe emphasized that the choice of the running mate reflected the aspirations of the people and hinted at the youthfulness of the ticket, contrasting it with rival parties’ selections of older candidates.
Reports indicate that President Bola Tinubu played a pivotal role in resolving the political disputes within the Edo APC, directing Minister of Niger Delta Development, Abubakar Momoh, to ensure Idahosa’s nomination as the party’s deputy gubernatorial candidate.