Edo poll: Speaker, others rally support for Ighodalo

The Director General of the Asue/Ogie Campaign Management Council, Matthew Iduoriyekewen on Monday led others in a rally in Benin to show support for the governorship candidate of the People Democratic Party, Asue Ighodalo and his running Osarodion Ogie.

The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, deputy director of the campaign council, John Yakubu, Deputy Director, Media and Publicity, Olu Martin’s, support group and party members marched through the city centre.

The rally led to gridlock in the city as well as adjoining streets, including the Government Reservation Area for several hours.

The organisers said the recent court ruling on the primary election of the party was a kangaroo ruling that would not stand the test of time and called on the people of the state to remain committed and vote for the party and its candidate on September 21.

One of the leaders of the support group, Austin Osakue, said, “Don’t.be distracted. We will not surrender and we will not retreat. We will not be dissuaded by their lies. My message is that to win an election, you must cast votes. We know Ighodalo very well and we know Ogie as a man of humility. When a man is humble, even god will fetch firewood for him.

“In this election, nobody must intimidate us. if they like let them be carrying court rulings around. You have all heard that there is nothing in that court ruling. instead of them campaigning, they are celebrating. But they can’t even campaign because their candidate is a liability, with our voter’s card, we will punish them.”

Ighodalo, who was accompanied by his running mate, said, “The time has come for our happiness to continue. The time has come for us to have more work, the time has come for us to have more money in our pockets and by the grace of God by September when you people would have voted Ogie and I in, more upward movement will come.

“I want you to remain strong. I want you to remain happy. Don’t be afraid of anything, God is in control. Everybody should get their PVCs ready so that by September 21, we will vote for PDP.

“We will ensure that the votes are counted and we will follow it to the collation centre until we are announced the winner and the state will continue to prosper, don’t be afraid.”