Traditional rulers in Uhunmwode Local Government Area have joined their counterparts in others parts of the state to throw their support behind the candidature of Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the September 10 election in the state, saying the “Oshiomhole’s choice is our choice”.
Speaking in his Palace while playing host to Governor Adams Oshiuomhole and the APC candidate, Mr Godwin Obaseki, the Enogie of Ehor, HRH (Dr.) David Igiehon who sat with other traditional rulers in the local government area declared their readiness to support the APC candidate and his running mate, Hon Philip Shaibu.
He said, “The Enigie in Uhunmwode say, your choice is our choice. Being a good governor that has been developing this Edo State, we regard you as a political redeemer. We see you as somebody who came to reconstruct this Edo State, and that is why I always call you Napoleon Bonaparte, who is very powerful. He said, ‘he came, he saw and he conquered’.
“So, the Enigie say, your choice is our choice, and we are ready to support you to do everything to see that you succeed. And you have never failed and you can never fail. The ancestors of Uhunmwode, the ancestors of Ehor, the ancestors of Edo, they say they are with you. Nobody can turn them against you. So, the Enigie have commanded them to make sure you win this election.”
They offered prayers for the success of the APC candidate and presented white native chalk, which symbolizes victory, to Mr. Obaseki and Hon. Shaibu.
The Enogie of Ehor declared, “So, on behalf of the Enigie, the ancestors say, the almighty God says, the ancestors in Uhunmwode say, and on behalf of all the Enigie, we are presenting to you this chalk, that you will come back with this chalk after your victory, to come and celebrate your victory with us.”
Speaking earlier, Governor Oshiomhole told the royal fathers: “I have come to escort my brother, your son to present himself before your royal highnesses, and to state clearly his intention which is to seek your blessings, your prayers and your votes in the forthcoming governorship election, so that by the special grace of God, and the support and blessings of our ancestors as embodied by your royal highnesses, that like you did for me, he may also be privileged to get the same blessings, so that he will take over from me on November 12, when I should be ready to return to my father’s cassava farm.”
He continued, “I also want to introduce his running mate, Hon. Philip Shaibu who has been in the House of Assembly for eight years, working with my comrade, your daughter, Hon. Elizabeth Ativie, now Deputy Speaker. He is therefore not a stranger in the governance of Edo State over the past eight years. The only thing, with your royal highnesses’ permission, I would like to say is that Godwin shares the compliments, the goodwill, the joy of any progress that we have recorded. Godwin, your son, was there from the beginning.”
Also speaking, the APC flagbearer, Mr. Godwin Obaseki said if voted in as governor, he would develop the economy of the area, ensure agricultural revolution, create jobs and build on the existing foundation laid by Governor Oshiomhole.
He said, “What I have come to do this is to present myself and my running mate, and to tell you we are very serious and ready to work for our people. What we need is your royal blessings, support and cooperation. We will have to start an agricultural revolution in Uhunmwode. That is the basis for creating jobs.”
Also, the Enogie of Evbuobanosa in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the State, HRH (Prof) Greg Akenzua offered prayers and blessings for the success of Mr. Obaseki and Hon. Shaibu, during a visit to his palace.
Fom left: Hon Philip Shaibu, APC Deputy Governorship candidate, Edo State; Governor Adsms Oshiomhole of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, APC Governorship candidate, Edo State and Hon Anselm Ojezua, Chairman, APC Edo State at the campaign flag-off of the All Progressives Congress at Abudu, Orhiomwon Local Government Area, yesterday.
