By Our Reporter
Benin City-In what many have described as a defining moment for the future of Edo Central politics, the National Leadership of the Labour Party, under the firm and visionary guidance of Barr. Julius Abure, on Tuesday officially presented the Certificate of Return to Hon. Paul Omo Okojie formally confirming him as the party’s authentic flag bearer for the August 16 senatorial bye-election.
National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barr. Julius Abure, who personally handed over the Certificate of Return, described Hon. Okojie as a symbol of the people’s aspiration for credible, responsible, and people-focused leadership.
“The Labour Party has only one senatorial candidate for Edo Central — and that is Hon. Paul Omo Okojie. His name has been duly submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and we are confident that he will emerge victorious at the polls,” Abure declared, to thunderous applause.
He further urged all party faithful to mobilize massively for the upcoming flag-off rally scheduled to hold in Uromi, the political heart of Edo Central.
In his acceptance speech, an emotional yet confident Hon. Paul Omo Okojie expressed profound gratitude to the party’s national and state leadership, the delegates who voted during the keenly contested primary in Uromi, and the teeming supporters across the five local government areas of Edo Central.
“This Certificate of Return is not just for me — it belongs to every man, woman, and youth in Esanland who still believes that leadership can be sincere, humble, and impactful. I thank the Labour Party for entrusting me with this responsibility, and I assure you, I will not disappoint,” Okojie said.
He used the opportunity to call on the people of Edo Central to shun money politics, resist political manipulation, and embrace a future built on integrity, ideas, and service.
“We have tried the old system for decades and it gave us nothing but recycled failures. This bye-election is a golden opportunity to choose differently — to vote for someone who understands your pain, who has walked your streets, and who is ready to fight for your future.”
Supporters at the event chanted slogans like “Okojie for Senate!”, “Esan must rise!”, and “No more professional politicians!” as the Labour Party once again positioned itself as the true people’s alternative.
With the August 16 bye-election fast approaching, all eyes are now on Edo Central, where the battle for the red chamber is no longer about party machinery, but about authenticity, credibility, and a burning desire for change.