Edo guber: New Benin market traders endorse Ighodalo

Ahead of the September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo State, the New Benin Market traders on Monday endorsed Asue Ighodalo, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The endorsement followed Ighodalo’s mid-morning visit to the market which turned into a carnival-like show as the women danced and showed support for the candidate who was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Ifeyinwa Ighodalo.

In his brief welcome address, the Coordinator of the New Benin Market Christian Traders Fellowship, Mr. Ero Amienghomwan, introduced Ighodalo to the cheering crowd and prayed that by December 1, 2024, Ighodalo would be at Osadebey Avenue, the seat of Edo State Government.

Addressing the traders, Mrs Blacky Ogiemen, President of Edo State Market Women/Traders Association, rallied support for Ighodalo, thanking the women for coming out to receive the PDP candidate and charged the women to come out enmass on September 21 to vote PDP with the umbrella as its symbol.

Ogiemen, who told the New Benin Market women that Ighodalo is their son because he was born in the New Benin area, and they should be proud of him, further stated that the New Benin Market women and women in the state had resolved to vote for PDP and defend their votes.

She charged them not to fear that there would be intimidation, and added that Ighodalo had the capacity to further the peace and development currently enjoyed in Edo State.

In her address, Mrs Ifeyinwa Ighodalo expressed gratitude for the warm reception accorded her husband and his entourage and assured the traders that she knows who her husband was.

Speaking glowingly about her husband, Mrs. Ighodalo stated that whatever he promised, he fulfilled. And if he failed to fulfill it, the only person who could force him to do it is herself.

Mrs Ifeyinwa then distributed aprons and wrappers to the women.

In his address to the market traders, Ighodalo thanked them and promised that he would work assiduously for the growth and development of their businesses and promote prosperity for all.

The PDP flag bearer promised to ensure that those who called themselves Lions and Tigers would never return to the market to harass or intimidate the traders again. Using a light and darkness analogy, Ighodalo urged them to vote for light which the PDP represents.

“There is light and darkness. We are the light. Vote for the PDP. It is the light. There’s good and there’s bad. PDP represents good. So, vote for PDP,” he stated.

He emphasised the need to work together as the election closes in for the progress and development of Edo State.

” I will think and think and think and work until there is no more poverty. See me as your son. Like a son you laboured to train through school, now working and he is back to take care of you. So, I will work to make you happy. There are places that are not as richly endowed as Edo State, but they are doing very well. We can do same”, Ighodalo assured.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE