A former Edo State Governor and Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, has credited the reserved approach of governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo, as a key factor in securing victory during the 21 September, 2024 governorship election in the state.
Speaking on the Politics Today programme on Channels Television on Monday, Oshiomhole downplayed concerns about Okpebholo’s absence from media interviews, stating that television appearances are often exaggerated.
According to the senator, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate’s decision to avoid TV debates and interviews was strategic.
“As you can see, our strategy worked which is why the people voted.
“When a man goes to a village and speaks his dialect, it has more impact than when you speak high-profile English”, he said.
He dismissed the idea that media appearances are necessary, emphasising that Okpebholo communicated directly with the electorate, which proved more effective.
When questioned about his role as the public face of the campaign, Oshiomhole said his focus was on highlighting Okpebholo’s qualities.
Oshiomhole said, “You are saying I was the face of the campaign, whatever that means, thank you. But what makes me the face? Maybe because I was speaking to the quality of Monday.
I spoke about the quality of Monday and we got him to speak to the people about what he will do differently. He has to justify those who are voting for him. How will he be different from this rejected government? He has to speak to them and that is communication.
“But the mistake many TV hosts make is to assume that anyone who doesn’t appear before you, you exaggerate the import of television viewers.
“It’s not about not allowing him (to grant interviews); we are not in a position to compel anybody”.
He also suggested that radio, not television, was the most effective medium to reach voters, particularly in Edo State.
Okpebholo’s victory was officially declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday, with the APC candidate securing 291,667 votes.
Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) followed closely with 247,274 votes, while Labour Party’s (LP) Olumide Akpata garnered 22,763 votes.
The win signals a return to power for the APC in Edo State, which lost control in 2020 following Governor Godwin Obaseki’s defection to the PDP during a fallout with Oshiomhole.
Obaseki, whose term ends in November 2024, was a strong supporter of Ighodalo in the recent election.
