The political fortunes of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State got a big boost on Monday with the defection of scores of members of other political parties, notably from the All-Progressives Congress (APC), the Labour Party (LP), the New Nigeria Peoples Party, (NNPP), into the ruling party in the state.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The defectors were received into the PDP, when Governor Godwin Obaseki and Dr Asue Ighodalo, the candidate, and other chieftains of the party, held campaign rallies at Egor and Ikpoba-Okha local government areas of the state.
Speaking at the Olua Primary School Field, Uselu, venue of the campaign rally in Egor LGA, Governor Obaseki declared that he had done his best for the state and that Ighodalo and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie, would continue from where he would hand over to them.
According to the governor, “I have done my best. Ighodalo and Ogie will continue from November 12. We want progress. We want to move forward and not backwards. Looking at the people here, you see a lot of youths. I am not surprised because Egor is home of youths. We have the University of Benin and the Benin Technical College.
“September 21 is the most important election in Edo State. Don’t make the mistake; for the sake of continuity, it must be PDP or PDP. Ighodalo is youth-friendly; all his lawyers in his company are young lawyers.
“I have known him for 40 years and he is very brilliant. So, no mistake on the 21st because all the works in Egor local government area are too important to be allowed to stop. Go out early and vote and protect your votes”.
He said “We will work and work and work and bring out the creative potential of our youths in a way that it will benefit all. We don’t need an illiterate who will bring insecurity. It’s time to move forward. Ogie and I are very ready to work for you all. So, don’t fear, don’t worry; we’re for you all. Prosperity has come for all. Just go out on the 21st and vote early and protect your votes.”
Earlier, the PDP chairman in Egor, Chief Idenhen, welcomed the governor and the candidate. He said the people of Egor were fully ready for the election and would produce the best result in the state come September 21.
The council chairman, Eghe Ogbemudia, while welcoming the governor and candidate, said Asue Ighodalo and Osarodion Ogie would continue with the good work Obaseki had started in the state as Egor was fully PDP.
Odion Olaye, a PDP chieftain in the area and state chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) charged the atmosphere at the rally with exciting and melodious songs as the people danced and danced.
While asserting that nobody can rig the election in Egor, nor could anyone be intimidated by the police or anyone else, Olaye predicted that Egor would be won by the PDP, and Asue-Ogie, PDP will be declared winner.
The Deputy majority Leader, Edo State House of Assembly, Natasha Igbinedion, said for Edo State to move forward, the people must vote Asue Ighodalo and Osarodion Ogie.
Igbinedion said, “Egor has already settled for PDP. The local government is fully united for PDP and Egor will not fail.”
Ogbeide Ifaluyi, Commissioner for Digital economy, insisted Egor was 100% for PDP.
Enumerating the projects done and completed by the Obaseki administration in the area, Ifaluyi noted that there was every reason to vote PDP, adding that Asue Ighodalo would complete all the projects still going on.
The Director General of the PDP Governorship Campaign Council, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, charged the people to vote PDP and not to make the same mistake they made in 2023 during the general elections. PDP State chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, thanked the people of Egor for coming out en masse to welcome them and charged them to come out en masse to vote PDP.
The high point of the rally was when hundreds of defectors led by Bright Omoruyi from the ADP, a former State House of Assembly candidate of the party, declared that the choice before the people was that of light and darkness. He said they joined the party to ensure PDP won the election. He said he and his structure joined the party because the candidate was the best.
Promise Igbinevboh, a former APC chieftain, said he led his people to PDP because Asue Ighodalo “is mentally, physically and academically sound”.
The Western Boys High School Field in Ikpoba Hill, venue of the rally in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, home of Ighodalo’s running mate, Ogie, turned to a carnival at the arrival of the governor, the governorship candidate, and the campaign team.
The council chairman, Henry Osayande, who enumerated his achievements, assured that Ikpoba-Okha was 100 per cent for PDP because of Ogie. Commissioner of Physical Planning, Isoken Omo, and Henry Okuanrobo, former majority leader Edo State House of Assembly, spoke in a similar way.
Iduoriyekemwen, DG campaign council, said Ikpoba-Okha was the strongest force of PDP. He said PDP had invested in Ikpoba-Okha both in infrastructure and human capital development, and now they have the deputy governorship candidate.
Governor Obaseki, in his speech, said he didn’t go there to campaign but to thank the people and celebrate. He then listed the several projects of the administration in the area and concluded that only one government cannot finish all the job. So, he had brought Ighodalo and their son, Ogie.
While assuring them that the election would be peaceful and that they had nothing to fear, Governor Obaseki encouraged them to go out and vote on September 21.
Ighodalo on his part, thanked the people for showing good examples as good hosts to the many companies in the area, and enjoined them to go out on election day and vote.
Ogie, in his speech, challenged them that in 2020, Ikpoba-Okha knew what it delivered though he wasn’t on the ballot, while now in 2024 that he is on the ballot, “I leave the rest to you.”
One of the defectors to the PDP, Nomagbon Ogbomo, a former chieftain of the APC in Ward 10, said Obaseki had done well for ward 10 Ikpoba-Okha which is one of the riverine areas, by providing security, building jetty to ease transportation, and providing electricity to the people. He said he led his people to the PDP to work and ensure PDP won the forthcoming election.
Evang. Esther Ero, a former welfare officer of the APC, who led hundreds of followers to the PDP, said she and her people returned to the PDP because of Barr. Osarodion Ogie who she described as “a man with an open heart”. She said she and her people were ready to work to ensure victory for the PDP.
