No fewer than five political parties and their candidates on Saturday backed the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its can­didate, Senator Monday Ok­pebholo, for the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.

The political parties which gave their support to Okpeb­holo are Social Dem­ocratic Party, Action Democratic Party    the National Rescue Movement, the Alliance Peo­ples Movement, and the Zenith Labour Party.

The parties were reportedly received at the State Secretariat of the APC by Okpebholo, his running mate, Hon Dennis Idahosa; the Acting State Chairman of the party, Emperor Jarret Tenebe; the party’s Secretary, Lawrence Okah; the Director General of the Edo APC Gov­ernorship Campaign Coun­cil, Sen. Matthew Uroghide among others.

Speaking on behalf of the other candidates who took turns to endorse the APC can­didate, Sam Arase of the NRM said: “Today is another beau­tiful day as Edo State marks 33 years of our existence. We have taken a serious decision as we approach the September 21 date for the governorship election in the state.

“We the Assemblies of Registered Political Parties in Edo State having watched carefully the campaign of the APC. We recognise the fact that Okpebholo wants to fix the bastardised educational system in the state.

“We, the National Rescue Movement, including our candidate, Dennis Osahon; the Alliance Peoples Movement candidate, Zenith Labour Party candidate, the Social Democratic Party candidate and the Action Democratic Party candidate have decided to work with the APC in the forthcoming election. Having discussions among ourselves, we have decided to vote en masse for the APC.”

He added that “What we want is the growth and devel­opment of this state. We want Edo to come back to its feet again. We want Edo people to know that they will elect a man who means well for them because of his antecedents which we are happy about.

“We are calling on all our supporters across the 19 local government areas to come out on September 21 to cast their votes for Okpbholoo and his running mate, Hon Dennis Idahosa.”

While commending the gesture, Okpebholo said he would run an all-inclusive government and ensure that he implements every item in his manifesto, promising to turn the state into a huge con­struction site.

He said: “I am not the only candidate that is contesting right now, there is something special about me that they have seen. They have seen the capacity in me, they have seen me as somebody who can actu­ally move Edo State forward.

“I have all what it takes to move the state forward be­cause I will develop education and provide good healthcare for our people. I am happy that you have come to support me.

“It is a big task and with­out being told, I believe that this state needs a unity gov­ernment because we must all work together to make Edo State strong and viable.”

Tenebe said the APC would not take the generous support of the parties for granted and that is an indication that they share in the vision of the APC that the state needs to move forward.

The Chairman of the Edo APC Governorship Cam­paign Council, Sen. Matthew Uroghide, said their generous support for the party would be rewarded.