The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified its call for Senator Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, to make his first public appearance and outline his plans for the people of Edo State. The PDP is urging Senator Okpebholo to participate in a public forum, whether in a Town Hall meeting or on television or radio, to directly engage with voters.
In a press statement by Rev Olu Martins, the Deputy Director General, Media and Publicity, Asue/Ogie Campaign Management Council, the PDP noted that since securing his candidacy through a contentious primary process three months ago, Senator Okpebholo has yet to address the people of Edo State through any organized public platform or via well-known electronic media. Renowned television stations, including Channels TV and Arise TV, have repeatedly invited him to appear, but all requests have reportedly been ignored. Even former APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, was asked by Channels TV to facilitate Okpebholo’s appearance, but the candidate has continued to evade public engagement.
The statement read in part;
“The PDP joins the call for the APC candidate Senator Monday Okpebholo to make his first public appearance, either in a physical TownHall, television or radio stations, to speak to Edo people on his plans for Edo people.
“Three months after Senator Okpebholo emerged candidate of the APC through a controversial primary process, he is yet to speak to Edo people on any organised physical forum, or through known electronic media of television or radio.
“Several television stations including renowned stations like Channels and Arise have made repeated calls for his appearance and all such calls have proved abortive. Even Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was begged by Channels TV to bring him, but the man continues to run away from all such public engagements. We believe that another golden opportunity presents itself again. We are shocked that he is shunning it again, and is recruiting his adies to go and speak for him.”
The statement further noted that in stark contrast, the PDP’s candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, has maintained regular communication with Edo voters through various electronic platforms, often at short notice. The PDP has reiterated its willingness to engage Senator Okpebholo in a debate at any time or place, whether in a physical forum or on reputable radio and television stations. The party emphasized that only the candidates themselves can effectively articulate their visions and policies, and any debate lacking direct candidate participation would lack credibility and fail to serve the electorate’s interests.
“The candidate of our party, Dr Asue Ighodalo has continued to engage the people of Edo State on all known electronic platforms and sometimes at the shortest possible notice.
“We are willing at whatever time and location to debate the candidate of the APC on any physical forum, or on reputable radio and television stations, at any time or day.
“Only the candidates of political parties can speak better about and for themselves as our candidate Dr Asue Ighodalo has been doing. No barber can cut anyone’s hair in his absence in the same way no one can speak better for a candidate other than the candidate himself!
“Any debate therefore that would not involve the candidates of the political parties, especially that of the APC, who has not found it reasonable to engage freely the Edo people cannot be seen to do credible and would be to no effect!”