Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Tuesday led the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP’s) campaign to Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the State, canvassing votes for the party’s candidate for the September 21 governorship election, Dr. Asue Ighodalo and his deputy, Osarodion Ogie Esq.
Obaseki was accompanied by his deputy, Engr. Marvellous Godwins Omobayo as well as leaders and members of the Edo Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The campaign trail also touched down at Etsako West Local Government Area, as the Governor maintained that the PDP has the best candidate in the election, urging the people to vote for credibility and competence.
Speaking to the jubilant crowd of party faithful and supporters, Obaseki said his government has pursued wholistic reforms in education, agriculture, sports, technology, and health, among others, warning that these gains and successes would be derailed if left in the hands of an unintelligent, inexperience or an incompetent person whose only aim in power is to share the common patrimony of the people among the political class.
He said, “Akoko-Edo is the oldest local government in the State created in 1963 with a lot of natural resources and I promised to compensate them after they were relegated for years. They have brilliant and intelligent people and as a governor, I have done my best to remember them and ensure they occupy great positions in my government.
“We have reformed the education sector through the EdoBEST programme and ensured your daughter headed the State’s Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). We can’t hand over EdoBEST to unintelligent people.
“We have started building a polytechnic for our people here in Akoko-Edo Local Government and Asue Ighodalo and Osarodion Ogie will continue with the work when I leave office on November 12th, 2024.”
Obaseki added, “We have applied for many mining licenses and have set up companies and it’s time to get investors into the council area. Asue Ighodalo and I worked in the capital market, worked for international bodies, and raised money to contribute to the development of the State. Asue Ighodalo and Osarodion Ogie will bring investors into the State.”
The party’s candidate, Ighodalo who charged the electoral umpire on free, fair, and credible polls in the State, urged the people to come out enmasse on September 21 to cast their votes with the assurance that their votes will count.
He said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said he will support free, fair and credible elections as he is a democrat that believes in the credible process. But his party, the APC is using him to boast on winning the election but PDP will stand guard, ensuring we frustrate all their plans and ensure the votes of the people count.
“We will create prosperity and the citizens will not be poor again. God has prospered us and we should not allow anyone to move us backward.”
Also, the Deputy Governor, who commended Governor Obaseki for recognizing minorities and giving them a place of pride in the State’s politics, said: “Akoko-Edo has the position of the Deputy Governor in the State. It’s a great achievement for our people. We are not ungrateful people as APC has never given us any good position before.
“We will not manage to win but will win convincingly. We will vote, defend our votes, and ensure PDP wins the governorship election in Edo State. We are one in Akoko-Edo and PDP is our party.”
Chairman of Akoko Edo Local Government Area, Tajudeen Suleiman thanked the governor for his developmental strides in the council area, noting that the governor’s impactful projects have opened the area for economic development.He noted, “I am happy today because we have experienced and credible candidates in Asue Ighodalo and Osarodion Ogie. The PDP governorship candidate will surely build on the legacy of the Obaseki-led administration.”
