The governorship race in Edo State has taken a dramatic turn as the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo has reportedly refused to participate in a scheduled televised debate with his opponents.
A source close to Okpebholo disclosed that he recently urged the APC to take all possible measures to avoid facing his opponents in the public forum.
The debate, set to be a critical platform for addressing the candidates’ policies and vision for the state, has now become a point of contention.
The source stated, “Okpebholo has expressed a strong desire to avoid the debate. He has asked the APC to explore every option to prevent this open televised confrontation.
“The reasons behind this request remain unclear, but it’s causing significant concern within the party.”
The refusal to participate in the debate comes amid mounting pressure on Okpebholo to clarify his stance on various issues affecting Edo State.
he televised debate was seen as a key opportunity for voters to gauge the candidates’ responses to pressing state matters, including economic policies and governance strategies.
The other candidates Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party and Olumide Akpata, meanwhile, have expressed readiness to participate in the debate and address the electorate directly.
The debate was expected to be a pivotal moment in the gubernatorial race, allowing the candidates to present their visions and counter each other’s proposals in a public setting.
The development has led to increased speculation about Okpebholo’s campaign strategy and his readiness to engage in open political discourse.
The refusal to participate in the debate could impact voter perception and influence the dynamics of the race.
Recall that Okpebholo’s academic qualifications have been under scrutiny in the last few weeks.
Insiders say the APC candidate has poor academic records and has stage fright that has made him stay away from public appearances.
The APC has yet to officially comment on the situation, and it remains to be seen how the party will handle the controversy surrounding the debate.