Abdullahi Ganduje, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says it is almost certain that the party will win the September 21 Edo governorship election, going by the qualities of its candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

Mr Ganduje said this on Saturday in Abuja when he presented the certificate of return to Mr Okpebholo, saying there was a need for other aspirants to work with him to ensure the party’s victory.

He said direct primaries were held in 192 wards with records and video evidence, adding that Mr Okpebholo was declared the winner because he got the highest votes.

“The full cooperation, harmony and unity of all aspirants and members of our party is all we need now to win Edo in the coming election now that the primary is over.

“The party has a product that is refined, well packaged and sellable to the electorate in the person of Okpebholo and is therefore ready to win Edo,” Mr Ganduje said.

He said other aspirants had since congratulated Mr Okpebholo as the party’s candidate.

Nze Duru, the party’s deputy national organising secretary, while presenting the committee’s report to Mr Ganduje, said the primary was adjudged nationally and internationally as the most peaceful, fairest and transparent.

In his remarks, Mr Okpebholo called on other aspirants who contested the party’s ticket to join him to ensure that the APC wins the election.

Also speaking, Lucky Imasuen, one of the aspirants who contested the party’s ticket, said the National Working Committee (NWC) was hardworking, sincere and fair in the handling of the Edo primarily election.

He commended the APC Edo governorship primary election committee for a job well done, assuring that the other aspirants would work hand in hand with Mr Okpebholo to ensure APC’s victory at the poll.

Dennis Idahosa was initially declared the primary election winner on February 17 by the Governor Hope Uzodinma-led committee.

The APC NWC, however, upturned Mr Idahosa’s election and declared the election as inconclusive.

The committee slated February 21 for a supplementary election and replaced Mr Uzodinma with Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River as the chairman.

Mr Otu, while declaring Mr Okpebholo as the winner of the supplementary primaries, said he got 12,433 votes to defeat 11 other aspirants in the contest.

Mr Okpebholo currently represents Edo Central at the National Assembly.

(NAN)