With less than a week until the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, non-indigenous groups from Ovia North East and South West Local Government Areas have declared their support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie.
At town hall meetings in Okada and Iguobazuwa, ethnic groups such as the Arewa Hausa/Fulani, Ndigbo, Yoruba, and Urhobo expressed their endorsement.
At the Okada meeting, Hon. E. O Efosa, who spoke first, relayed the message of The Esama of Benin, Chief Sir Gabriel Igbinedion, to the people. According to him, Esama charged the people to vote for the PDP because “he doesn’t know any other party than the PDP.”
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Hon Efosa also narrated the position of former two term governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, to the people. He declared that the former governor has asked the people to go out on Saturday and vote massively for the PDP candidate.
Addressing the people, Ighodalo thanked them for the support they have shown him so far and also for the large turnout. He declared that the Saturday election in Edo State would be a time to choose between good and bad, light and darkness, moving forward or going backwards.
He highlighted the social economic crisis that have befallen the country as a result of the poor managerial acumen of the party in power at the Centre but opposition here, the All-Progressives Congress (APC).
“On Saturday we are going to make a very important decision in the life of Edo State. We will be deciding between moving forward or backwards, progress or retrogression or backward. We will be deciding between light and darkness and between good and evil.
Community leaders emphasized the need for progress and stability, backing Ighodalo for his governance experience and commitment to economic development.
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Lucy Omagbon, former chairman, Ovia North East Local Government Area Council, thanked the PDP governorship candidate, his wife and other team members for coming and prayed that God will grant them journey mercies back home.
The team was welcomed to Iguobazuwa, the administrative headquarters of Ovia South West Local Government Area venue of the meeting by Hon. Harrison Omagbon.
The Baale Of Ogunwale community, Chief Aderemi Ogunwale, who spoke on behalf of the Yoruba community/farmers, thanked the PDP governorship candidate for finding time to go and see them. He said they will not trade good products for bad products that are not marketable.
He assured the governorship candidate of their votes and assured that they will defend their votes. He also took time to enumerate the qualities of Ighodalo ranging from his time as board chairman of various multinational companies to being chairman of Alaghodaro Summit.
He told the people that Ighodalo is the best for Edo State and urged the people to vote and defend their votes. He also urged them not to be afraid or be intimidated by federal might as they are protected.
Ighodalo, in his speech, urged voters to choose between “progress and retrogression,” promising good governance and accessibility.
He acknowledged Governor Godwin Obaseki’s work, pledging to build on it while also addressing issues like women’s empowerment and agricultural development. He also encouraged voters to defend their votes, warning of potential election rigging by opposition parties.