Okpebholo Deepens Grassroots Governance, Strengthens APC Structures Across Edo

Kingsley Ohens Reporting

BENIN CITY — Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to deepening grassroots governance and strengthening the structures of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across the state.

The governor made the commitment on Monday when he met with APC leaders and members drawn from the 18 local government areas of Edo State at the Government House, Benin City.

The engagement provided an opportunity for the governor to appreciate party members for their support while stressing the need for unity, cooperation and a stronger connection between the party’s leadership, government and its grassroots structures.

Okpebholo described the APC as a collective political platform, emphasising that the party’s electoral successes were achieved through the contributions and sacrifices of its members.

“I want to say good morning to everybody and tell you that I love you all. I want to let you know that the party is our party. We don’t have any other party than APC,” the governor said.

He further explained that his administration would continue to pursue a governance model that brings government closer to the people, ensuring that development, opportunities and government programmes extend from the state level to communities and wards.

“So we are taking the governance to the grassroots, so that whatever is from the top, will also go down to the bottom,” Okpebholo stated.

A significant issue discussed at the meeting was the planned appointment of Special Assistants across the state.

The governor said the proposed appointments should be viewed within the context of collective responsibility for the APC’s victory, stressing that the success of the party was not attributable to him alone.

“Appointing 4,000 SAs is not an issue at all because we all work for this victory. The victory does not belong to Okpebholo alone,” he said.

Earlier, APC State Chairman, Jarret Tenebe, commended Governor Okpebholo for what he described as sustained efforts to reposition the party and strengthen its structures since the administration assumed office.

Tenebe said the APC had become more active and stable, adding that the administration had created opportunities for party members to participate in governance and benefit from democratic dividends.

He also disclosed that arrangements were being made to improve the operational capacity of the party, including plans for the APC to have a vehicle dedicated to its activities.

According to him, several party members had also been considered for appointments as Special Assistants, describing the development as a reflection of the governor’s understanding of the relationship between political organisation and governance.

Tenebe further highlighted the party’s performance during the local government elections, claiming that the APC was able to support its candidates for councillorship and chairmanship positions without requiring them to personally finance their campaigns.

He also cited what he described as the party’s 2,158,600 votes across Edo North, Edo Central and Edo South as an indication of its growing political strength and grassroots presence.

The APC chairman disclosed that Governor Okpebholo had approved the appointment of 25 Special Assistants in each of the 192 wards across the state.

He explained that the meeting with ward chairmen and other party stakeholders was convened to communicate the criteria and guidelines that would guide the selection of beneficiaries.

“In his magnanimity, the governor has decided to appoint 25 SAs in each of the wards in 192 wards across the state. And that is the reason why we decided to invite ward chairmen and members to this meeting so we can tell you the criteria to select these people that will benefit from this appointment,” Tenebe said.

He added that the APC State Working Committee had constituted a committee to interface with ward structures across the state and ensure that the stipulated guidelines were followed throughout the selection process.

The committee, he said, would also supervise the compilation of nominees and ensure that the names of qualified beneficiaries were properly documented and communicated to the party headquarters in Benin City.

The meeting underscored the administration’s efforts to maintain closer coordination between the state government and the APC’s structures at the ward and local government levels, as the government continues to pursue its grassroots governance and mobilisation agenda.

The engagement was attended by Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa; APC State Chairman Jarret Tenebe; members of the APC State Working Committee; the Chief of Staff to the Governor; and representatives of the party from the various wards and local government areas.

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okpebholo, Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele, said the engagement further demonstrated the administration’s commitment to strengthening grassroots participation, party cohesion and the connection between government and the people across Edo State.