Ahead of the governorship election in Edo state scheduled to hold in September 2024, a Niger Delta militant group, Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA), has assured the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Monday Okpebholo of its backing.
This was contained in a statement signed by self-styled Major General Johnmark Ezonebi (a.k.a Obama), along with the leaders of the nine militant groups that make up the RNDA.
The statement said RNDA, being a foremost militant group in the Niger Delta, explains the reason for the decision behind the endorsement and massive support for Okpebholo after a crucial meeting in one of the creeks.
The statement said the region was critically assessed the track records and backgrounds of the various candidates before it threw its weight behind Okpebholo of APC.
The statement reads in part, “It is imperative to make this critical decision, and we the leaders of the dreaded Niger Delta militant group, the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers, RNDA, after our crucial meeting in one of the creeks about the candidates of the various political parties contesting the governorship election in Edo state, we concluded by taking our decision on whom we are endorsing and supporting.
“At this point, we want to let the people of Edo state know ahead of the election who we have endorsed and will support. He is nobody else than the governorship candidate of the APC. So, the people of the state would not fall into the hands of a party and candidate that does not mean well for them.
“Senator Monday Okpebholo was nicknamed ‘Akpakomiza’ the Distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing Edo Central Senatorial District, Edo state, in the 10th National Assembly, and chairman, Senate Committee on Public Procurement, is a man of impeccable character with high sense of humour who is passionate about improving the lives of Edo people.
“He is a senator, who has been distinguished based on his track record and achievements. Specifically, what attracted and endeared us to him is his giant strides in infrastructural development and human capital building because this is what we yearn for in the Niger Delta region.
“We will mobilise massively to ensure the people of Edo state vote en masse for Senator Okpebholo, and this victory will be a landslide victory because we have our structure across Edo state to the ward level, and we have set in motion our mechanisms to sensitise and get the full assurance of the people, and we will not leave any stone unturned as far as this election is concerned.”
