By Kingsley Ohens
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Monday, led the campaign train of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to Uhunmwonde and Orhionmwon Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the State, where they were warmly received by a jubilant crowd of supporters and party members who trooped out in their numbers, rolling out the red carpet to receive the team.
Presenting the party’s candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, and his deputy, Osarodion Ogie Esq. to voters at Old Council Hall Ehor in Uhunmwonde LGA, Obaseki urged the people to come out en-masse on September 21 to vote for the PDP to ensure the sustainability of the noble initiatives by his government to better the lives of the people and ensure economic prosperity for the State.
Others on the campaign train include the Edo State Deputy Governor, Marvellous Godwins Omobayo, and Edo PDP Chairman, Anthony Aziegbemi, among others.
The governor noted that before the coming of his administration, Uhunmwonde was a hotspot for kidnapping but his government restored the peace, security, and safety in the area, noting that Ighodalo is the most credible and experienced candidate in the election and will improve and sustain the government’s successes and drive growth in the State.
Obaseki said, “Many years ago, kidnapping was rampant in Uhunmwonde as the safety of life and properties is the role of government, and my administration took it upon itself to ensure that the people of the State are safe.
“Since the PDP government took over, we have ensured safety, peace and security in the State. The situation was so bad that kidnapping occurred about two to three times in Uhunmwode but we brought an Army base to check the criminal acts.
“We have worked and done our best in the last eight years as we developed and grown the economy of Edo State. We used our resources to develop education, security, health, agriculture and other sectors.”
The governor added: “Our government can’t finish everything within eight years and to make sustained progress, progressive minds must take over the leadership of the State, and Asue Ighodalo and Osarodion Ogie have the capacity to move the State forward.”
On his part, Ighodalo pledged to, if voted into office, tackle poverty and hunger and drive economic growth and prosperity in the State.
He noted that rather than focus on issues and letting the people know what they intend to do when in government, the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) has resorted to gutter politics, campaigns of calumny, and mudslinging.
He said, “If we are voted into power, we promise to turn Edo into a world-class State where poverty, hunger, and suffering will be a thing of the past.
“Edo is a land of prosperity as Obaseki has developed education, agriculture, sports, technology, and health. Obaseki has done the most difficult job and ours is to continue building where he stopped.”
In Orhionmwon LGA, Obaseki received over 2000 decampees from the APC into the PDP, commending them for joining the winning party.
Speaking at Esigie Primary School, in Abudu, Orhionmwon LGA, the governor said: “In the last 8 years, my administration has shown that Orhionmwon is the State’s food basket and gas hub. I started developing Orhionmwon as investors of oil palm are already contributing to the economic growth of the area.
“We are bringing in more investors, including those who plan to bring about five megawatts of power to the council area and Asue Ighodalo and Osarodion Ogie will continue from where we will stop.
“This ground where we are holding our campaign is where we will build the hostel for Edo State College of Education, Abudu. Asue Ighodalo and Osarodion Ogie are the people that can continue in developing the State.”
Urging the people to reject APC and its candidate, Obaseki said, “APC says they plan to use federal might in this election but we have God’s might and when God supports us victory is sure.”
Also, Ighodalo said the PDP is the party for development and growth, while the APC is synonymous with hardship, suffering, and poverty.
“APC that can’t upload party’s agents’ names on INEC portal can’t rule a digital State like Edo State. They have no plans for the State as they have strategies on how to loot the treasury of the State but we would not allow them to do that. We would create prosperity in the State and support local government areas to thrive.”
On his part, Orhionmwon LGA Chairman, Newman Ugiagbe thanked the governor for his developmental strides in the LGA, adding, “In 3 to 4 years, the council area will become Malaysia following the oil palm investment in the area. We will thank you with our votes on the 21st of September 2024 as we will vote massively for PDP.
“Oshiomhole is an enemy of Orhionmwon people as he never brought development to our people in this locality. We thank the governor for his work in the State and the opportunities given to Orhionmwon people in his government.”
