Ahead of the Edo 2024 Governorship election, Edo State’s 192 Councillors have vowed to support PDP Governorship candidate Dr. Asue Ighodalo in the upcoming September Governorship election, just as they passed a vote of confidence on Governor Godwin Obaseki for prompt payment of their salaries and allowances and the provision of vehicles for legislative leaders.
In a statement issued by Benjamin Atu
CPS Etsako East local Government Council said the endorsement and commendation by the 192 councillors across the State came in response to a misleading publication by a self-proclaimed APC Deputy Chairman, Media and Publicity, Etsako East LGA Mr Agbukor Lucky, who in the luxury of his imagination published that the 192 Edo Councillors are nursing grievances against Governor Godwin Obaseki over unpaid salaries and allowances and have thus resolved to work against the PDP candidate.
Dismissing the allegations as misleading, disgraceful and a direct attack on democracy, the leaders of the various legislative Councils across the State unanimously passed a vote of confidence in Governor Godwin Obaseki
describing him as a great performer and an unusual leader who has made the welfare of councillors across the state his top priority. The Governor is not owing us salary they chorused.
Hon. Solomon Oguma, Leader of the Etsako East Local Government Legislative Arm (Edo North), with Hon. (Barr.) Augustine Oleleayegbele, Legislative leader from lgueben local government council (Edo Central), Honourable Omoruyi Igbinake, Ovia North East Local Government Area (Edo South), Rt Hon Aikhodion Joshua Braih legislative leader, Owan East legislative leader (Edo North), and others who took their turn to speak in an emergency meeting by the Legislative leaders in Agenebode today, called for the immediate arrest of the writer Mr Agbukor Lucky for showing disrespect to the Governor and fake news designed to mislead the public.
In their separate reactions, Hon. Solomon Oghuma described Governor Obaseki as the best governor who gave vehicles to all legislative leaders across each local government at a time when no one expected it, while Hon. (Barr.) Augustine Oleleayegbele said it was strange to hear it and described the APC as jokers. We have no reason to vote against Asue Ighodalo because he has espoused his manifesto and is engaging meaningfully with Edo people. Hon. Omoruyi Igbinake described the allegations as a bloody lie and disgraceful, citing the APC’s desperation and frustration. Even in our dreams, we will vote for Asue Ighodalo. In Akoko-Edo, the legislative leader, dismissed the allegations as a lie from the pit of hell. APC is confused, he said.
In a communique issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Etsako East Local Government Council Chairman said following the emergency meeting by leaders of the 192 Councillors, where they unanimously denied the reckless and misleading publication, they accused the APC of covert and overt moves to cause confusion and a breakdown of law and order in the State in order to carry out their election rigging plan, which they say is doomed to fail as it has in the past.
Wondering why their good name and integrity, which they have built over the years, would be tarnished by one miscreant element, the lawmakers urged the Nigerian Police to investigate the intent of the author of the malicious and devilish campaign of calumny by forces determined to keep Edo State captive from development. The author of the aforementioned publication has consciously and clearly shown contempt for the legislators and should be arrested for it.
They expressed confidence that Asue Ighodalo’s victory would humble the Edo State APC and make them spectators in the September Governorship election. “We are completely behind Asue Ighodalo and will deliver victory for him in all of our wards and units. Governor Godwin Obaseki is the best thing that has ever happened to Edo State, and we remain committed to him.
The statement advised Mr Lucky Agbukor and his APC party to weep for Nigeria’s economy. The Edo APC should weep for the nation, which is currently bleeding from all sides due to their party’s clueless leadership.
They Maintained that “Edo Electorate is not looking for a Governor who is deaf and mute who would succumb to the bidding of godfathers but one who is proactive and responsive to make Edo a progressive and prosperous. The Edo APC should be more concerned about their clueless candidate, the state of the nation and the hardship and underdevelopment that has characterised their reign rather than seeking how to underdevelop Edo State, the statement added.
