The PDP rally held in Fugar, Etsako Central and Agbede in Etsako West local government areas of Edo state.

By Jethro Ibileke

Ahead of the 21 September governorship election in Edo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki has urged the Etsako people to vote for the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo.

He stated this on Wednesday during the party’s campaign rallies held in Fugar, Etsako Central and Agbede in Etsako West local government areas of the state.

The Etsako people are kindred of Senator Adams Oshiomhole, leader of APC, the opposition party in the election.

Obaseki expressed surprise and satisfaction at the mammoth crowd that greeted him at the rallies, even as he commended them for also coming out during the continuous voter registration exercise in the state, thereby increasing the voting strength of Etsako Central.

He said: “I have never seen this type of crowd in all the places we have visited.

“I want to thank you all for this massive turnout even when they say Etsako Central is one of the smallest local governments in the state you people still have this large crowd.”

The elated Governor informed the crowd that there is a gas pipeline that passes through Etsako Central and that the PDP candidate has planned to utilize the gas to generate electricity for the people.

He described Ighodalo as a “Chief Master Planner”, adding “he has the best plans to take Edo State further into progress and prosperity.”

The PDP flag bearer, Asue Ighodalo, while addressing the huge crowd, commended the Obaseki-led administration for the improvement in the educational system, workers welfare, infrastructure, health and others and promised to build on what’s already on the ground.

He promised to eradicate poverty, create wealth and enthrone good governance.

According to the governorship hopeful what Edo needs is continuity for progress and prosperity.

He assured the people that Ogie and himself would never disappoint them if voted into power.

Ighodalo also thanked the large crowd, who still came to receive them at that time of the night, expressing his gratitude to the people of Agbede.

On the issues of poor electricity supply to the area, Ighodalo promised that when he resumes office as the governor of the state, he will ensure Agbede gets its transmission station.

He, therefore, charged them to come out en masse on election day and vote for the PDP.

Earlier, a chieftain of the PDP, Chief Mike Ogiadomeh, said the Obaseki-led administration has done well for the people of the state and, particularly, the people of Etsako Central Local Government.

Ogiadomhe who is a former Chief of Staff to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, thanked the governor for bringing Asue Ighodalo to take over from him, whom he described as “a man with proven track records”

“The people of Etsako Central Local Government are fully with Asue Ighodalo and they will massively vote for the party and defend their votes.”

In his speech, another chieftain of the party, Barr. Pascal Ugbome, used the opportunity to also eulogize Asue Ighodalo and Osarodion Ogie, noting that “they are a perfect match and capable of taking Edo State to greater heights.”

On his part, the Director General of the Asue Ogie Campaign Council, Hon Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, declared that “the APC is not an option for progress in Edo State.” He told the people to remain focused and vote the umbrella and insisted that “continuity is what Edo needs now.”

The state chairman of the party, Dr Tony Aziegbemi, in his speech, charged the people to come out enmasse and vote on September 21. He also thanked them for their support for the PDP so far as he asked Chief Dan Orbih, the leader of the Legacy PDP in the state, “to retrace his steps and come back home.”