Edo 2020: Obaseki gets Abuja group’s endorsement

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, on Tuesday, secured the endorsement of an Abuja-based group, Obaseki Mandate Forum (OMF), in his bid to clinch the ticket of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to contest the forthcoming gubernatorial election.

The group of Edo State indigenes met with the governor at the Edo State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja on Tuesday, assuring him that they will do everything within their disposal to ensure that the governor is returned to office for a second tenure.

The President of the group, Chief Nathaniel Momoh, said, in his remarks, that Obaseki need not allow himself to be distracted by the crisis in the ruling party in the state.

He told the governor that members of the group are drawn from the extended families in Owan, Afuze, Agenebode, Uromi, Ubiaja, Akoko Edo, Evbuotubu, Erediauwa, Usen, Elele, Siluko, Udo and other parts of Edo State, have begin mobilisation to return him and his deputy, Philip Shaibu to Government House, Benin.

Nathaniel argued that the people, whom he said the administration has touched their lives, have already begun one of the most aggressive, massive mobilisations across the State to rally support for the continuation of Obaseki/Shaibu ticket.

“Today, you are that choice by the people for Edo State. This for us is an elixir to step up. Consequently, returning you to Edo State government House is not an ambition of yours alone, but that of the people, who have taken over the project as theirs,” he said.

He advised eligible voters, who are Edo indigenes resident in different parts of the country, to approach the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to begin the process of transferring their voter’s card to the state to enable them to vote massively for Obaseki at the election.

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Momoh said: “Today, you are that choice by the people for Edo State. This for us is an elixir to step up. Consequently, returning you to Edo State government House is not an ambition of yours alone, but that of the people, who have taken over the project as theirs.

“You are that choice by the people for Edo State. This for us is an elixir to step up. Consequently, returning you to Edo State government House is not an ambition of yours alone, but that of the people, who have taken over the project as theirs.

“Citizens of Edo origin outside Edo State will follow this gesture of love by transferring their PVCs to Edo State to ensure they match their words with action of returning you for a second term.

“This is our task as Edo people and no one can defeat the people who are united to pursue only one agenda . Return His Excellency Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki and Philip Shaibu as Governor and Deputy Governor of Edo State.”

In his remark, the spokesman of the group,  Leslie Ebhotemhen, said the group is ready to drive the process to ensure the governor’s return along with his deputy, Philip Shaibu to Government House, Benin.

He told Obaseki: “Make your findings at INEC, we have stimulated processes of Edos applying for transfer of their PVCs to Edo State  for the purpose of the September 19 election, God sparing our lives when we will return you to power, Ebhotemhen, who is the Orifa-Eyo of Ososo Kingdom and the Agebhori of Ososo Clan.”

Ebhotemhen said the group will work to swell the numbers in favour of Obaseki’s candidacy across the length and breadth of Edo State, adding that the people had also “seen Governments come and go under this budding democracy, but we make bold to say, your Government has marked a departure from the norm by carrying out people development-centred projects across the State.

“Your developmental footprints across our State is glaring, gleaming and glistening for all to see, except, probably, those who have chosen to see wrongly.”

According to him, Edo people, who are the electorate, are favourably disposed to another four years for Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu because of the good works the duo were doing.

“They are witnesses to your silent but visible transformation across the length and breadth of our communities. The dividends of democracy which we have all seen, have enhanced the values of property as well as improved living conditions for the people in the State, ” he added.

Responding, Governor Obaseki said he was overwhelmed by the show of solidarity exhibited by the people towards his candidature, adding he was determined to cause a significant turn-around and change the fortunes in the area of agriculture and technical know-how of the people.

He said the electorate in the state should not be swayed by those, he noted, could not manage kiosks to lead Edo state no matter the circumstances.

“The last three years have been learning, wait for what would happen in the next four years,” Obaseki said, adding that the young population in the state cannot be wasted as his government was determined to incentivise the people for the good of Edo state.

 NIGERIAN TRIBUNE