By DADA AYOKHAI
Edo State Deputy governor, Comrade Phillip Shaibu has challenged voters in Auchi to ensure they voted for those who will not sell their mandate on the altar of loyalty to a godfather.
Hon Shaibu’s comments came after reading the Governor Godwin Obaseki’s Goodwill message to the participants of the 2023 Auchi Day celebration, an annual event held on every 8th of January .
He said “I want to urge the people of Auchi Kingdom to take advantage of the forth coming general election to vote the right candidates.
” Etsako West Constituency 1and 2, suffered non representation for four years because of a godfather. The time to correct the wrongs is now” ,
The deputy governor statement is a reference to Inauguration of the Edo state House of Assembly where some lawmakers, including the two elected members for Etsako West local government boycotted an alleged inauguration which was said to have taken place in the night at gun point.
“Both lawmakers reportedly abandoned the people’s mandate after being elected and followed a supposed godfather. As a result, they were unable to take the oath of office like the rest of their counterparts did, even if the inauguration itself took place at the most nocturnal hour of the day and under duress. “
Earlier, the Otaru of the Auchi kingdom, HRH Alhaji H. A. Momoh, Ikelebe III, admonished Nigerians to eschew religious acrimony and bigotry and to endeavor to live with one another in peace.
He noted that the Auchi Day has come to stay, adding it is set aside to thank Allah for His benevolence and Mercies towards the development of the ancient kingdom
The chairman of the occasion, Dr. Mustafa Lecky, a former INEC National Commissioner, commended the Otaru for holding the forte with such an uncommon zeal, saying the peace and stability Auchi enjoys owes largely to the large-heartedness of the monarch.
Dr. Lecky added that Auchi has grown in leaps and bounds, becoming a home for all Nigerians as a result of the hospitable disposition of its citizens and the monarch.
