Follow
X
Follow

In Benin City, Edo State, on Saturday to bolster the campaign of his party’s candidate in the upcoming governorship election in the state, Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Gregory Obi, has expressed his desire that the people of Edo State be allowed to choose who serves them. The governorship candidate, Akpata also sent a strong message to the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP in the state that the LP was “strong and vibrant” to wrestle power from it and deliver the dividends of democracy to the 18 local government areas of the state.
The former Anambra State governor, who canvassed this position when he paid a courtesy call on the Oba of Benin, Ewuare 11, in his palace, posited that the nation can only be great if there is free, fair and credible election.
The duo and their supporters, who were at the palace to seek the Oba’s blessings ahead of the September 21 gubernatorial election in the state, tasked the Benin monarch to lead advocacy for free and fair elections in Nigeria.
Obi said, “Let the people elect those who will serve them. Your Majesty, that is our simple request and I think you’ve always been a father to all. And I know in this election, you will remain a father to all”. He expressed his belief that with the prayers of the Oba, the party can make headway as it begins its political campaigns for the election.
In his speech, Akpata, former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, said he was at the palace with the national leadership of the party to seek the Oba’s blessings, and to inform him that he was commencing his political campaigns. Akpata said it would be very wrong for him to have gone on with his campaign without visiting him for his blessings. He believed that his prayers would go a long way as he embarked on his mission of rescuing the state.
The LP flag bearer promised that the party would provide people-oriented and impactful governance if elected as next governor of the state.
Responding, the Oba of Benin, while welcoming them to his palace, wished them well as they took their political campaigns through the length and breadth of the state. Declaring his non-partisanship Oba Ewuare 11 said as the father of all, he stands for the betterment of all Edo people. Wishing Akpata well in his governorship ambition, the Oba counseled that as a true illustrious son of the soil, he should always uphold his electioneering campaign promises if he gets to office.
