FROM IKHILI EBALU , BENIN CITY
Ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki has declared that only the best is good enough for the state.
The governor stressed that on no account should the people allow fraudsters to become their leaders.
He made the assertion when the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stormed Iguobazuwa, Ovia South West, on Saturday.
Addressing the crowd who defied the rain at Iguobazuwa Township Stadium, Obaseki assured them that their votes would count and that they should go out and vote for the PDP.
He said government established the college of agriculture to ensure that children from the area are educated and not to be dropouts who engage in fraudulent activities.
Obaseki said government established Okomu Oil Company and the rubber plantation because of the need to provide jobs and that many more would be established under the administration of Dr Asue Ighodalo, the candidate of the party.
In his speech, Ighodalo thanked the people and reminded them that for three years, he was a director in Okomu Oil and facilitated the employment of many sons of the soil to very top positions. He, therefore, declared that he is a son of the land by extension and promised to do more as governor for Ovia South West.
He attacked the notion that only “a home boy” could govern Edo State, noting that there are many people born in their father’s houses but turned out to be bad children, growing up to be touts and fraudsters.
He urged the people to reject such people as leaders.
Both the party’s local government chairman and the executive chairman, Egubor Ijeke and Engr Edosa Enoweghowena thanked the governor and promised that the people of Ovia South West would deliver the PDP at the election.
Speaking at Okada, Obaseki said he is supporting an Esan candidate because of the need to create unity in the state. He also said another important reason is because he is sure of the capacity of Ighodalo and Ogie to continue with his many laudable programmes and because “Dem bi men wey sabi.”
Ighodalo assured the people that he would not disappoint them. He noted that they stayed in the rain because they attach so much importance to the election. He urged them not to bring shame to Esama, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, who he described as a lover of education for establishing reputable secondary and university institutions. Urging them not to bring shame to the former governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion.
