By DADA AYOKHAI
The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Blessing Agbebaku has assured the Edo State governor and the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Barrister Asue Ighodalo of Owan maximum support ahead of the upcoming September 21 gubernatorial election
The Owan nation comprises Owan West and Owan East and they constitute a critical voting bloc which can determine the outcome of the scheduled guber election.
Rt. Hon. Agbebaku is from Owan West.
The Speaker gave the assurance while hosting a strategic meeting of Owan PDP leaders in his country home in Sabongida Ora.
Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Edo State PDP guber candidate, Bar Asue Ighodalo were present at the meeting and other PDP bigwigs
Details of what was discussed at the meeting were not disclosed to the public but it may not be unrelated to how to secure victory for the party and its candidate in the gubernatorial election.
A source told *Borderline News 24* that crucial party matters topped the agenda of the meeting, saying the PDP leaders in Owan do not want to leave any stone unturned and that the Ighodalo project is almost a fait accompli
He further stated that the smiles on the faces of the PDP leaders as they exited the meeting venue indicated their collective resolve to close ranks and also present a united front to diminish the chances of the APC and other parties in the area.
A visibly elated Gov. Obaseki applauded the Speaker and the Owan PDP leaders for their active political mobilization in rallying support for the PDP in Owan West LGA. He surmised that what he had seen so far gave him hope of a good outing.
While thanking the governor for the visit, Speaker Agbebaku said the Owan nation’s support for the PDP and its gubernatorial candidate is intact and unchangeable. He added that the PDP candidate has made the task easier for them given his rising political profile and pedigree, insisting “victory is in sight” because the governor, the party, and the candidate have done the hard part and the election result would fittingly serve as “an icing on the cake”.
Bar. Asue Ighodalo used the opportunity to interface with critical party leaders and stakeholders and also assured them of a brighter and prosperous Edo State.
On their part, Hon. Dickson Ahonsi and Prince Aminu Okodo-Kadiri, the Executive Council Chairman of Owan West and Owan East, respectively, expressed confidence in the Ighodalo project. They predicted a 90% margin of victory for the party.
In particular, Gov. Obaseki praised Hon. Jimoh Ijegbai’s efforts in Owan East, saying, “I have known Ijegbai for a long time; anything he tells me, I believe. Let it be clear that Owan is PDP. We cannot allow the work of great Owan leaders like Sen Yisa Braimoh and others go in vain.”
The enlarged Owan meeting is considered “strategic and tactical” and meant to tighten the party’s hold on Owan and reduce the APC’s dominance in the Edo North district.
Among the PDP stalwarts at the meeting were Hon. Johnson Abolagba, the Owan West PDP leader; Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, the Edo State PDP chairman; Dr. Osaigbovo Iyoha, Chief of Staff to the governor; Dr Uyi Oduwa-Malaka, Edo State Commissioner of Culture and Tourism; Hon. Jimfred Obaidiku, Special Adviser to the governor on Political Matters (Edo North); Hon. Joe Ekpehio, former EDHA Deputy Speaker; Engr. David Okoh-Aigbodion; Hon. Inumidu Taiwo, former Edo Women Affairs Commissioner; Hon. Alex Oleije; Mr. Fred Ohioma, DDG Campaign Council for Owan federal constituency.
