Paul Ohonbamu, spokesperson for the Edo State Governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo, has indicated that the governor-elect will likely engage more with the media now that the election is over. During an interview with TVC News from 8:17, Ohonbamu addressed the concerns raised during the election campaign about Okpebholo’s limited media presence, explaining that his focus had been on grassroots engagement rather than debates or press interactions.
Ohonbamu explained, “Why he didn’t speak much to the press was not because he cannot speak or he cannot face the press. The truth of the matter is that he was going about meeting the people, the electorates from ward to ward, unit to unit throughout the entire state.” He noted that while debates and media appearances play a role in politics, they are not the ultimate measure of a candidate’s capabilities.
The spokesperson emphasized that democracy is fundamentally about engaging with the people, saying, “Democracy is not a debating society. The underlying thing is the people, that’s why democracy is termed government of the people by the people and for the people.” According to Ohonbamu, Okpebholo’s primary objective during the campaign was to connect directly with the voters, which was the reason for his minimal media exposure.
As Okpebholo prepares to take office, it is expected that he will now turn his attention to the media, using it as a tool to communicate with the public about his policies and plans for Edo State.
WHAT HE SAID
“I think it will change now. Why he didn’t speak much to the press was not because he cannot speak or he cannot face the press. The truth of the matter is that he was going about meeting the people, the electorates from ward to ward, unit to unit throughout the entire state, but they made it a big issue that he’s running away from debate, he cannot face the press, but the real thing is this. Even though debates have some elements in politics, democracy is not a debating society. The underlying thing is the people that’s why democracy is termed Government of the people by the people and for the people.”