A few days before the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Action Alliance candidate Tom Iseghhi-Okojie announced on Sunday that he has withdrawn from the race in support of All Progressives Congress candidate Senator Monday Okpebholo.
At a press conference, Iseghhi-Okojie explained that his decision was motivated by the belief that true leadership involves knowing when to unite for the greater good rather than standing alone.
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Okojie who was joined in the briefing by her running mate, Deaconess Mabel Onaiwu, and Acting chairman of APC, Jarrett Tenebe, said: “I address you today with a deep sense of responsibility, hope, and determination for our beloved Edo State.”
“Today, I am making a pivotal decision that I believe is in the best interest of our state. I have chosen to step down from the governorship race and collaborate with the All Progressives Congress and its candidate, Monday Okpebholo.”
“Edo cannot afford another term of mismanagement, economic hardship, and insecurity so I decided to collapse my structure and join forces with the APC to change the narrative.
“The PDP has had its opportunity, but unfortunately, they have not succeeded in bringing the progress our state needs and after careful reflection, I realised that aligning with APC, under Senator Okpehbolo’s leadership, is the best path forward for the state.
“Senator Monday Okpebholo may not be known for grand oratory, but leadership is about action, not rhetoric. History has shown us that great leaders—like Winston Churchill and Abraham Lincoln—were often criticized for their speaking styles, but their strength and vision led their nations through difficult times.”
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He added, “Senator Okpehbolo embodies this kind of leadership. He may not dazzle crowds with flashy speeches, but he is strategic, thoughtful, and deeply connected to his people. Behind the scenes, he has proven to me that he is a leader who listens, gathers the right people, and makes tough decisions for the good of Edo State. He is not driven by ego or power but by a sincere desire to improve the lives of Edo people.
“The power of collaboration by stepping down and joining forces with APC, I am not abandoning my promise to the people. On the contrary, I am fulfilling it in the most effective way possible. Action Alliance brings with it a grassroots structure of 65,000 members, with the capacity to mobilize at least 500,000 votes.
“This collaboration ensures that we can win this election decisively and bring the real change that Edo so desperately needs. My role will be to support Okpehbolo by managing media relations, countering unfair attacks, and ensuring that he can engage directly with the people, something he is fantastic at.”
In his comments, Tenebe observed that after eight years of perceived non-performance by the PDP, the party sought to collaborate with other parties to create a government of unity. He highlighted that the Action Alliance candidate’s decision to support the APC was part of this strategy.
He further emphasized that effective governance requires empathy, asserting that those lacking empathy cannot effectively contribute to development.
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