FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Director-General of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Gubernatorial Campaign, Matthew Urhoghide, yesterday, appealed to the people of Oredo Local Government Area to ensure that their vote for the APC on September 21 supersedes other local governments.
Urhoghide said the APC candidates, Senator Monday Okpebholo and Dennis Idahosa are politicians who have won elections before, while others are traders.
He disclosed this during the party’s flag-off campaign for the September 21 governorship election in Oredo Local Government Area.
He pointed out that if you don’t have grassroots support, you don’t have to contest any election. So our candidates have won various elections before.
“We want massive support for them on September 21, Edo North and Central have agreed to vote massively for them, so we expect Edo South to follow suit”.
Also speaking, a former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole called on security agencies to step up investigation and ensure that all illegal arms in circulation are retrieved from unauthorised holders.
He stated that those carrying pump action rifles in the state are not being paid by Governor Godwin Obaseki despite the claim that they are employees of the state government.
“For us to have free and fair election, security agencies have to do their work and retrieve these arms, and make sure people are free to come out and vote, one man one vote on September 21 without being harassed.
“Already, we have information that people who went to collect their PVCs in Akoko-Edo, Orhionmwon and other areas are being harassed by these arms carriers.”
Comrade Oshiomhole, in a message to the deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Osarodion Ogie, said after 16 years in government without new ideas, it is time for fresh leadership to come in, arguing that the state needs innovative and energetic leaders to drive progress.
He said “Ogie has been Secretary to the State Government, SSG, for eight years, he was chief of staff and commissioner for works under my eight years administration, put together he has been there for 16 years and Edo is not only for one person. So, I will never use unkind words on him, but I will advise him as an elder, it is time for him to go and rest.
“If he insists, let him upgrade to the federal level. For Edo, he should allow younger people who are hungry to prove themselves. After 16 years in government and over 60 years of age, you have no new ideas, it is time to step aside,” Oshiomhole said.
On his part , the governorship candidate of the APC, promised to create jobs, as well as declare a state of emergency on roads, education, health and security.
He added that modern farming will be introduced, assuring that a peaceful environment will be created in the state, as kidnapping and other vices will go with the Obaseki-led government.
