The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Felix Morka, attributed the party’s victory in the Edo State governorship election to the synergy among its political actors.
In an interview with Arise TV, Morka stated that the party was able to overcome internal conflicts arising from its primary election, which produced Governor-elect Monday Okpebholo.
“At the All Progressive Congress, what you witnessed in Edo was a rallying of all of the sectors of the party. Party primaries usually produce a lot of tensions, sometimes even contradictions, and APC is no exception to that,” Morka said.
He noted that once Okpebholo was chosen as the flag bearer, all party members rallied behind him, regardless of their initial support during the primaries.
He said, “Once a flag bearer was named, I’m sure you witnessed a rallying of all of those interests and leaders and members of the party behind the flag bearer of APC. And I think that’s what produced this outcome.”
Morka emphasized the significance of unity within the party, saying, “It was the very vehement commitment of everyone, not just of the candidate himself, but even those who opposed him, who didn’t support him during the primaries, were solidly behind him.”
The APC’s leadership, including President Bola Tinubu, National Chairman Umar Ganduje, and the National Working Committee, played a crucial role in the party’s victory, according to Morka.
He stated, “And of course also the leadership of Mr. President of our party and our national chairman and the National Working Committee, everyone was united, not because they necessarily supported Monday Okpebholo even during the primaries, which is a housekeeping contest, but once he became the flag bearer of the party, that was it. Everybody rallied around and that’s exactly what you saw, what you witnessed last Saturday.”
Morka also dismissed concerns about potential interference from political godfathers in Okpebholo’s administration.
Morka said, “Yes, because we need him to succeed. We didn’t win the state as we’ve just done so that we can armstrong the new governor.”
He emphasized the party’s focus on delivering developmental governance to the people of Edo State.
He added, “No, we will free him to govern, because he needs to govern in the strategic best interests of the people of that state. It’s not about any one individual, and there’s no godfather who is going to stand in his way because our party is very vigilant, we’re very clear and intentional about allowing those who emerge as governors to govern for the utmost benefit of the people of the state. The good people of that state are in for a lot of good that this governor is going to do.”