Governor Godwin Obaseki, alongside the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the upcoming governorship election, Asue Ighodalo, and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie, visited Agenebode, the headquarters of Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, to canvass for votes.
Buoyed by the large crowd, Obaseki declared that Edo needed a capable leader to manage its affairs during his speech at the open field of Ogbaki Primary School, Agenebode, on Wednesday.
He stated that given the level of suffering ravaging Nigeria today, it would be a great disservice to the state to elect someone incompetent and incapable of managing Edo.
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The governor emphasized that a state like Edo, already benefiting from good governance, required competent and capable hands to continue the progress.
“That is why I brought Ighodalo and Ogie to continue the good work,” he said.
Obaseki further declared, “Asue Ighodalo is not a push-and-start candidate.”
He assured the people that the foundation for the School of Agriculture (Fishery and Aquaculture), already laid, would be completed under Ighodalo’s leadership.
“He will continue with the project and complete it for the people of Etsako East,” Obaseki promised.
He stressed that for development to continue in Edo State, the people needed continuity in government, affirming that Ighodalo and Ogie were the best choices for that continuity.
Speaking at the rally, Ighodalo expressed gratitude for the love and support shown by the people for both the party and his candidacy.
He promised that if elected, all ongoing projects would be completed, and more would be initiated.
Ighodalo said he would create wealth for the people from the riverine zone between Illushi in Esan South East and Agenebode along the River Niger by developing the blue economy potential of the region.
He urged the crowd to come out en masse on September 21 to vote for the PDP.
Earlier, the PDP Chairman in the local government welcomed the party campaign team and the governor, assuring them of their support and votes.
He noted that there would be no intimidation and they were fully prepared to “cage the lions and tigers” on election day.
A party chieftain, High Chief Alaba Oshoguma, thanked the governor for fulfilling promises to the area, including bringing the School of Agriculture back to the local government, as well as providing electricity, water, and other ongoing projects.
He assured the governor of their votes as a thank-you gesture.
Roseline Adomi, a leader of a strong support group, also expressed gratitude to the governor for the groundbreaking ceremony of the School of Agriculture and promised their votes as a sign of appreciation.
Council chairman, Hon. Mrs. Benedicta Attoh, assured the governor that Etsako East was a “done deal” for the PDP.
In his speech, Edo State PDP Chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, thanked the people for their support and welcomed hundreds of defectors from the APC.
Braimoh Benjamin, a former APC member from Ward 8 who joined the PDP, said they were in the PDP to deliver Ighodalo as governor on September 21, noting that Ighodalo was more capable than any other candidate.
Another defector, simply introduced as Collins, said he left the APC because of their “lies” and declared that the PDP represented the light and the way forward for Edo State.
