(File photo) Godwin Obaseki, APC governorship candidate at a rally

President Muhammadu Buhari has described Mr Godwin Obaseki, the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Sept. 10 election in Edo, as a seasoned technocrat to lead.

Buhari said this at the APC ’s mega campaign rally at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Tuesday in Benin.

“Obaseki is a seasoned technocrat and I recommend him to you so that you can continue to grow the state developmental stride.’’

The President recalled the several previous invitations to him by Gov. Adams Oshiomhole and applauded his several achievements in the state.

“I am grateful for inviting me to come today to identify with you.

“You have built schools and roads which I have seen myself,’’ he said.

The President said that Edo people would do well to vote for Obaseki on Sept. 10 to sustain and continue with Oshiomhole’s good works in the state.

He acknowledged the current economic challenges and assured the people that the nation would come out of the woods with the available human and material resources.

The President paid tributes to the late Oba Erediuwa, describing him as a foremost traditional leader with unquestionable integrity.

“I have not seen any more forthright traditional ruler,’’ he said. (NAN)

Also speaking at the rally,  Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State said the giant strides and economic growth recorded in Lagos in the last 16 years could be replicated in Edo if the people vote for continuity.

Ambode, who is the Chairman, National Campaign Council for the Governorship candidate of the APC for the Sept. 10 poll in Edo said Gov. Adams Oshiomhole-led  government  had recorded remarkable progress in the state in the last seven years and this should be sustained by voting in the APC candidate.

Ambode said the governorship candidate, Mr Godwin Obaseki, was a trustworthy, reliable and God fearing person, who would bring his wealth of experience as a financial expert to bear in the governance of Edo.

He said that Edo, with its vantage position, as well as its human and natural resources, had the potential to be greater.

“We are happy for the presence of President Buhari in our midst and it is a pointer to the importance of Edo state to Nigeria’s economic development.

“Edo State has witnessed tremendous progress under Oshiomhole this last seven years, and more than it achieved in the last 10 years of the previous government.

“Oshiomhole has laid the foundation for the progress of the state.

“Edo can be like Lagos State, it has all the potential to be great, and we need Godwin Obaseki to make it greater,” he said.

Similarly, in his address, Mr Anselm Ojezua, the state APC chairman, said the support the party had received in the state over the years was a clear testimony of the achievements of the party in Edo.

He appealed to the people to continue giving such support and vote for Obaseki in the Sept. 10 election.(NAN)

President Muhammadu Buhari had on arrival for the mega rally paid a courtesy visit to Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting which lasted for about 40 minutes, was held behind closed doors at the palace of Erediauwa, who is also the Edaiken of Uselu.

NAN reports that the Buhari’s plane touched down at 10.20 a.m. accompanied by the party’s National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun.

Members of his entourage included Gov. Ambode, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, among others.

NAN reports heavy security presence around the Benin Airport, Stadium road and adjoining streets ahead of the grand finale of the party’s governorship rally at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin.

A combined team of operatives from the Police, Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were seen at strategic locations within the Edo capital, to provide maximum security during the rally.

Also, security vehicles were seen patrolling the airport road while Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) personnel and its special road marshals were seen controlling traffic.

NAN further reports that heavily armed Mobile Police officers were seen within and around the stadium, venue of the rally, with party supporters trooping out in large numbers. (NAN)