The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Saturday, threw its weight behind the position of Governor Monday Okpebholo, baring the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi from visiting the state without clearance from the state government.

Chairman of APC in the state, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe stated this shortly after the announcement of Hon Joseph Ikpea and Hon Omosede Igbinedion as the senatorial and House of Representatives candidates for Edo Central Senatorial District and Ovia Federal Constituency.

Tenebe also assured that the party would campaign “rigorously to prove to all that it actually won the 2024 governorship election in the state.

“The party also believes that the governor was right in saying that because of the opinion people have about Obi in the state, especially the last time he came here, three people were killed,” Tenebe said.

On the election, the chairman said the APC will hit the ground running by campaigning “as if we have never won elections in this state. We want to let the people know that we actually won the last governorship election.”

Earlier, the Chairman and Chief Returning Officer of the APC Edo Central Primary Election Committee, Ugboaja Stanley Uzoamaka, said election was conducted in 51 wards in the five local government areas in Edo Central, declaring that Ikpea emerged the winner with the 255 delegates from the zone affirming the outcome.

His counterpart for the Ovia Federal Constituency, Barr Lucky Ajokperiniovo announced that Igbinedion emerged following the withdrawal of other aspirants.