By Kingsley Ohens
Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Friday stormed Igueben, headquarters of Igueben Local Government Area of Esanland in continuation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign for the September 21 election in the state.
He used the occasion to commission the Union Bank Road constructed by his administration. He, however, respectfully requested Elder statesman, Chief Tom Ikimi, to do the commissioning, an offer he gladly accepted and performed.
Speaking at the Eguare Primary School venue of the rally in Igueben, Governor Obaseki thanked Chief Ikimi and his Selection Committee for choosing a competent , credible and convincing candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
He described Esan elders as wise and intelligent, saying “I have a very high regard for Esan elders because they are very intelligent and wise.
“Asue Ighodalo, the man you chose is a well respected personality in Nigeria and not a push over at all. He has handled multi-national companies successfully.
“And I am very sure when Asue Ighodalo comes on board, he will continue with the Edo Master Plan and create more good projects,” he assured the people.
In his own address, Chief Ikimi said “In 2020, I told you people that we are laying the foundation of the Esan agenda and today, we have actualised it.
“In Igueben Local Government, when we move, move together. I want to thank the people of Esan North East, Esan South East for giving us the opportunity to pick a consensus candidate.
” Asue Ighodalo is the Esan consensus candidate. We only supported the APC candidate to go to the Senate and that’s where he belongs. He should perform first as a senate member before coming to be Governor.”
Chief Ikimi lambasted Adams Oshiomhole, saying he is not a good man. “Oshiomhole is not a good man and should be disregarded. And supporting Akpakomiza means failure. Oshiomhole was the one who relegated Esan Onojie but Obaseki came and gave Esan Onojie the dignity.
” We have left the era of thieves, thuggery and crooks in governance and we are now in the digital era. Obaseki is the first to digitalize governance.
“Obaseki chose a very credible and competent candidate for Esan and an experienced running mate. Asue Ighodalo is Esan consensus candidate,” he declared.
Speaking at the rally, Ighodalo urged the people of Igueben to continue to canvass and support the good message and product of the PDP.
He said: “The election is about light and darkness, progress or retrogression , intelligence and competence or dullness and incompetence. The choice is ours. But I plead with you to vote for light, vote PDP.
“We will follow the master plan of creating wealth and prosperity to make Igueben great and all ongoing projects will be completed and more will come. We will not disappoint the trust you have on us
“We won’t allow lions and tigers in our markets and streets again to beat our mothers and collect their money.”
He then urged the people to come out and vote for the umbrella, the symbol of the PDP.
Earlier in his welcome address, the local government chairman, Hon. Asuelimenh Clement, thanked the governor for coming and assured him of their votes because the governor has done well in keeping with his promise of giving the ticket to a competent Esan son, unlike the APC.
Others who spoke , asserted that they cannot leave a good product for a bad one and that Igueben has resolved to vote Ighodalo.
