Afegbua cited infrastructural decay and leadership deficiencies in the state as motivating factors for entering the race, aiming to address these issues.
He criticized the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo, accusing them of engaging in "needless squabbles and altercations" and asserted that Edo citizens are disoriented by what he described as the politics of pretense and high-handedness.
Afegbua officially declared his intention during a visit to the secretariat of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council. He clarified that he intends to pursue his gubernatorial ambition under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said, “We cannot afford to be in opposition, when we have a Federal Government that is poised to renew our hope and take us to a place of prosperity, economic strength, stability, and pride.
“I am determined to make a big difference with positive impacts. With your support, I will redefine the essence of governance for the benefit of our people.
“The era of lamentation will be gone when I take the lead. Edo must rise again; she must rise from the ashes of this present mis-governance, to a state that will occupy its rightful place in the assembly of states in Nigeria. Edo state deserves more than just a passing interest.”
Afegbua who lamented that “Edo is seriously begging for attention with the level of infrastructural decay and leadership deficiency,” said: “I can’t stand the kind of roads I saw while traveling through the state.”
On the agitation to zone the governorship ticket to Edo central, the aspirant said: “There has never been a zoning arrangement of governorship position in Edo State. Anybody who says there is zoning will be missing the point.
“In 2007, when Oshiomhole came on stream to contest the position, as at that time Edo central had three ministers yet Osunbor who is also from central was elected governor. Now, from that time till now, every primary conducted by political parties has always been featuring every aspirant from all the zones. So, this time, nothing of zoning should stop any worthy son of Edo to aspire to govern Edo. “
