Immediate past Executive Director, Corporate Services of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, has declared intention to contest at the primary of the All Progressives Congress for the Edo South Senatorial seat.
Other persons that have declared interest are Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and incumbent Senator Neda Imasuen.
Ogbeide-Ihama, who declared interest before APC leaders in Ward 2, Oredo local government area, said he is the most experienced among the aspirants due to his eight years of doing legislative business in the House of Representatives.
He said he has proven to be capable of flying the APC flag having won his previous elections.
The former lawmaker said Edo South need a Senator with proven competence, capacity and grassroots appeal instead of political sentiments.
According to him, “If you talk about experience, I am the most experienced among all of us. I have spent eight years in the House of Representatives, in the National Assembly.
“The rules and the business of both chambers are the same. So, I’m the longest-serving member who has been in the National Assembly.
“The senate is too important for the senatorial district to hand over to a political newcomer.
“We cannot send a newcomer to that place. We cannot survive there.
“The politics there is different. Experience counts. There must be competence, there must be capacity, there must be ability to win the election.
“I represent a generation that is yearning for leadership, and I believe that it is our time. I am the most experienced, but let me tell you, na me young pass because it is our time,” he said.
Reacting to comments that he is an outsider in the APC, Ogbeide-Ihama said he has been committed and recognised member of the party.
“I don’t know what stranger means. I’m a full-fledged APC member. When I joined APC, it was known to everybody. Before I joined APC, we were not winning. When I joined, we won.
“Is there anybody that contests election that does not go to the people? If help comes from anywhere, we take all the help.
“My helper can be in the South, in the North, in America. We take all the help,” he said.