BENIN CITY – Traditional Rulers in Etsako land have thrown their weight behind the candidates of the All Progressives Congress in the 2015 general elections, saying their support was based on the need to continue the developmental train in the state.
The Endorsement came yesterday during the visit of the Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to the Traditional Rulers during his campaign tour of the area.
The party’s candidates are Mr. Francis Alimikhena, Senate, Edo North; Mr Philip Shaibu, House of Representatives Candidate; Mr Damian Lawani, Mr Gani Audu, Mr Yakubu Gowon and Mr Kingsley Ughabi, House of Assembly candidates.
At the Palace of the Okumagbe of Weppa Wanno in Etsako East Local Government Area, HRH, Dr. Egabor JP, Omoaze 1, said, “Our community and indeed the entire kingdom is proud and have accepted your leadership which is development-oriented. I must thank you most sincerely for the autonomy granted to the College of Agriculture, Agenebode.
“We cannot thank you enough. Again let this be on record that your tenure in the state has witnessed tremendous changes in education, road infrastructure and human empowerment.
Chief Egabor added, “For this simple reason, we have no doubt in our mind that a vote for the APC is a vote for Comrade Oshiomhole. So we are going to support you and make sure that all your candidates emerge victorious in the coming election.
“Areas that we thought was impossible to access, you came and accessed them. Even what the Federal Government could not do, you did all of them and so let me assure you that we will give you our full support.”
At Ogbona in Etsako Central Local Government Area, The Ogieavianwu of Avianwu, HRH Jackson Etokhana said, “As you are here today in my kingdom, I want to assure you our Comrade Governor that Afemai has never disappointed and on this matter we will not disappoint you. You have proved to us that you are the governor of the people irrespective of political divide or ethnic/religious differences. You have worked across the length and breadth of the state and you have provided dividends of democracy to all parts of Edo State. So I believe that any candidate you present today will be our candidate and the candidate to reckon with.”
Chief Etokhana assured the various candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives and the State House of Assembly that Etsako people will not disappoint them stressing that “when you get to your various offices, do not forget Etsako people as we want dividends of democracy to be delivered to us. That is the strength and power the Comrade Governor is enjoying today.”
Governor Adams Oshiomhole was also at the Palace of Ogieneni of Uzairue Kingdom, HRH Alhaji Kadiri Omoigbai where he presented APC candidates for the February elections.
Alhaji Kadiri thanked Governor Oshiomhole for his benevolence not only to Etsako people but Edo State in general saying, “your development in the area of road construction, education, human empowerment and healthcare delivery have no rival. You have done well and with you as governor; Etsako people do not have any problem as we will mobilize every youth, men and women in the kingdom for the support of the APC candidates in the elections.”
At the various palaces visited, Governor Oshiomhole thanked the Royal Fathers for their support and presented the candidates for the various positions to the Royal Fathers.
According to him, “Election season is here and politicians are on the road, the old, the good, the bad and even the ugly and candidates have emerged from primaries of the various political parties. In our own case, today, we have candidates that we would like to present to you. They are your children and your subjects and we found in them the qualities that we believe can represent not only the people in your kingdom but people across the length and breadth of Afemai land and Etsako East.”
While x-raying the integrity and credibility of the various candidates, Governor Oshiomhole passionately sued for the support of the Royal Fathers assuring them that candidates would not disappoint the people of Etsako land.
