The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate for the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, has unveiled his manifesto at a town hall meeting.
The Town Hall Meeting took place on Tuesday, at Urhokpota Hall in Oredo Local Government Area, Benin City, the Edo State capital.
The manifesto titled “Pathway to Prosperity for All” was unveiled by the candidate, Asue Ighodalo. The Five Points Prosperity Agenda Manifesto focuses on Security, Law and Order; Well-being; Economic Growth; Good Governance, and Environment. While making known the details of the manifesto to the audience at the Town Hall Meeting, Asue emphasised how he intends to achieve the new vision to benefit all Edo people.
In his words, “Today myself, Osarodion Ogie, and our team are here to tell Edo people in summary what we intend to do for ourselves in Edo State.”
On security, Law and Order, Ighodaho said his government will declare technological means and intelligence gathering to tackle the security challenges being experienced in parts of the state because insecurity is a threat to economic growth.
“As we all know, if there is no security, there is no way we can move freely, we can’t go to work, we can’t go to farm, we can’t go to the market, we can’t go anywhere. Investors will be scared to come do business with us, our children in the diaspora are scared to come home as a result of insecurity, they rather send their families less than they would spend if they come home to invest.”
The PDP gubernatorial candidate said when there is security, the tourism sector will flourish and people can come to Edo State and have the best hospitality. He therefore called on all Edo people to join hands together to fight insecurity.
On the wellbeing of the people, Ighodalo said that ensuring the wellbeing, health, and happiness of the Edo people is sacrosanct and he intends to achieve this through the provision of hardship relief, good jobs, good roads, electricity, affordable healthcare, good quality education, health insurance, potable water, women and youth empowerment.
On Economic Growth, he stated that he will be leveraging our competitive advantages to grow our economy and create wealth by increasing agricultural production, jobs, made-in-Edo products, culture & tourism, and a buoyant creative industry (movies, music, arts).
The PDP flagbearer said he would establish an agency that would annex the comparative advantage of the three senatorial districts in the state.
“I will set up an agency that will operate in the three senatorial districts of Edo South, Edo North, and Edo Central that will help focus on the comparative advantage of each senatorial district. For instance, if a senatorial district specialises in rice farming, this agency will help boost such specialty.”
On good governance, Ighodalo assured of delivering quality public services while ensuring transparency and accountability through a motivated workforce, listening to the people, fiscal responsibility, being accountable, consolidating E-governance, E-governance, inclusive government, and transparency.
“We will not only continue to pay Obaseki’s N70,000 minimum wage, but we will also increase it,” Asue maintained on Edo workers’ well-being to ensure a functional and effective workforce.
Lastly, on Environment, Asue Igodaho stated that he plans to improve Edo by ensuring proper sanitation and a conducive environment through sustainable growth, erosion and flood control, reforestation, and green spaces.
“I will make Benin a clean safe City and reduce flooding in Edo State. When I was growing up, Benin City used to be one of the cleanest cities; you can even eat at the roadside.”
Earlier, the Executive Chairman of Oredo Local Government Area, Dr. Tom Obaseki, the host of the event, in his opening remark stated that the choice of Urhokpota Hall is significant, being a place where Kings and Queens are crowned, noting that Asue Ighodalo will be sworn in as the next Governor of Edo State.
He said, “Urhokpota hall is a place where Kings and Queens are crowned and by the special grace of God Asue will be announced as the next Governor.”
Dignitaries present at the event include; PDP Deputy Governorship candidate, Osarodion Ogie Esq., Oredo Local Government Vice Chairman, Hon. Patricia Oghogho Ero, Senior Pastor of the Trinity House, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo among others.
