Edo 2024: “Say No to a ‘Counterfeit’ Governor,” Obaseki Warns Esanland Residents During Road Commissioning

With Edo Central senatorial district comprising the Ishan-speaking people of Edo State in strong contention for votes by the two rival political parties in the September 21 governorship election – the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressives Congress, APC, – the campaign train of the PDP returned to the area on Thursday soon after its campaign flag-off at Ubiaja las week with a message to the people to make good use of the opportunity they have this time around to produce a governor, by choosing the best and not “a counterfeit”.

The campaign train, led by Governor Godwin Obaseki, addressed rallies at Ekpoma, in Esan West, and Irrua, in Esan Central local government areas of Edo State.

At the Ekpoma rally, held at Egware Primary School open field, Governor Obaseki charged the people to make the Esan governorship agenda meaningful by electing the best of the candidates in the race, saying Edo State cannot afford a counterfeit governor.

He charged those present to go back home and tell at least five people to come out on September 21, to vote for the PDP.

Governor Obaseki said it was important for the people to elect that man who knows what to do and how to do it, adding, it was the reason he was supporting Dr. Asue Ighodalo and Osarodion Ogie to be governor and deputy governor respectively.

The chairman of Esan West local government council, Collins Aigbogun, assured the governor that Esan West was ready to vote PDP come September 21. He assured that the candidate would garner 98% of votes to say thank you to Obaseki for giving Esan the governor.

The member, representing Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben Federal Constituency, Marcus Onobun, thanked the people for coming out en masse, stating that the election is between Asue-Ogie and others.

The Special Adviser to the governor on political matters, Mrs. Philomena Ihenyen, praised the governor’s sagacity for figuring out a sellable candidate for the party like Asue Ighodalo and assured that PDP Esan West would vote massively for him.

Speaking at the Ekpoma rally, Ighodalo reiterated the need for continuity, saying all the good job the present administration had done must be sustained and built upon. He assured the people that he would work assiduously to ensure that the people enjoyed a better life, “and for Edo State, it’s forward ever and backwards never”. He charged them to ensure that they went out early on September 21 and vote for the PDP and also monitor their votes.

The state PDP Chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, the Director General, State Campaign Council, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, also charged the people to vote for the party for continued good governance.

Like in Ekpoma, the rally at Eguare Primary School in Irrua, was like a carnival. with Governor Obaseki, who took advantage of the campaign to commission the Uwessa-Ujagbhole-Irrua Road, emphasised the need to elect a capable governor who would continue the good work he had done, while Ighodalo also assured the people of Edo Central that the issue of water would be tackled by him and his deputy.

In his welcome address, Apostle Matthew Emiotemen said, “Esan Central is the home of PDP; PDP is Esan Central, and on Sept 21, the people will give APC red card with their voter card.”

Chairman of the local government council, Paul Iyoha, said “though the APC candidate is from the local government, but the people of Esan Central have resolved to vote for the PDP. The rumor of no PDP in Esan Central is a lie from the pit of hell; PDP is fully on ground, and we are ready to vote PDP.”

The member representing Esan Central local government area constituency in Edo State House of assembly, Fada Eigbiremonlen, said the jubilation of the day was the celebration of September 21. He promised double empowerment for youths and women in the local government as a way to tell the people thank you.

Heberta Okonofua-Ayu, Special Adviser to the governor on political matters, charged the people that it was time Esan Central told the world that they appreciated their own, noting that PDP had the best candidate, and Esan Central shouldn’t be different. She urged them to come out en masse and vote the ‘umbrella’ and defend their votes.

According to Okonofua-Ayu, “The only way we can tell APC we don’t like them is to use our PVC against them”.

Enaholo Ojiefoh, the Commissioner for Mining and Energy, Oil and Gas, said “the road in front of the APC candidate’s house was constructed by Obaseki; all projects in Esan Central are being done by PDP government.” He said the APC had nothing to campaign within Esan Central.

Former senator representing Edo Central senatorial district, Clifford Ordia, said “today is a special day”, as he raised a worship song that rocked the venue.

Senator Ordia assured the governor and the candidate of Esan Central’s massive vote. He used the opportunity to thank Edo North and South for allowing Edo Central to produce the next governor and thank Obaseki for making it possible.

Over 1000 defectors from various political parties led by a former New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) House of Assembly candidate, Harrison Echie, joined the PDP.