All Progressives Congress (APC) delegates to the party’s recent primary to elect the aspirant for Ikpoba Okha Constituency in Edo State have expressed confidence that the party would win the legislative elections next year. APC is the party is power in the state.

At the Western Boys High school, south of Benin City, where the Ikpoba Okha primary election was held, the feeling that pervaded the compound was that the emergent winner would go ahead to easily win the seat in next February’s polls.

Former Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Commissioner, Barrister Henry Okhuarobo, defeated two other contenders to pick the ticket for the Ikpoba Okha seat.

The Peoples Democratic Party has found it difficult to win elections in the local government in recent years and the belief among APC faithful is that Okhuarobo would have no problem completing his victory run in February.

A delegate, Victor, told News Express: “The APC House of Assembly nominee here, Henry Okhuarobo, is surely going to be the next member representing Ikpoba Okha come next year. It’s going to be a walk over.”

Continuing, Victor alluded to what he feels are the positive antecedents of the Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole in governing the state as a reason the people would overwhelmingly choose his party (APC) in the general elections next year.

Echoing the same positive sentiments, Kingsley Balogban, a ward secretary of the APC in Ikpba Okha and also a delegate who voted in penultimate Tuesday’s primary, praised the sense of organisation of the APC in conducting a peaceful and controversy-free primary. This, according to him, is proof of the party’s superiority in finding solutions for the betterment of the Edo people.

“You can see how peaceful and well-organised the primary here has been. We believe in fair play in the APC. That’s why people love and trust us,” he said.

Balogban’s popularity in his ward 7, where he’s the party secretary, has seen a high increase in party members, especially from young voters who are attracted to (what one youth said is) his warm and responsive nature in reaching out and giving a listening ear to members and prospective members of the party.

He hopes and believes, like other delegates and APC faithful, that the current enthusiasm would translate to a high turnout of voters to give victory to his party come February.

•Photo shows APC delegate to the recently held party primary in Ikpoba Okha and Secretary of ward 7 of the party, Kingsley Balogban.

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