Traditional rulers in the six Local Government Areas in Edo North have endorsed the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Godwin Obaseki, as their choice as the next governor of the state.
They also made cash contributions to his campaign to enable him reach out to people in other parts of the state, assuring him that he will win the election with a landslide in the whole of Edo North.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers who converged in his palace, the Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Aliru H. Momoh, Ikelebe III said their support for Obaseki stems from the fact that he was introduced by their son, Adams Oshiomhole, who has performed creditably as incumbent governor.
He said: “This meeting is under the auspices of Edo North traditional rulers. The reason for it is that we have had one of our sons who has transformed Edo State in various aspects of human life. And from Edo Central, South and North, there has been a transformation of un-surpassing dimension.
“So, we want to demonstrate in no small sense that the whole of Edo North traditional rulers are behind him and the candidate that he is presenting for this governorship election in Edo State. Basically, that is the mission.”
Other traditional rulers present echoed the Otaru
Responding, Oshiomhole said, “I am really short of words this afternoon. I wish my biological father was still alive to hear your very kind royal words and all that you have done for me these past nine years. I include the period of the first electioneering campaign and then the judicial process before assuming office seven and half years ago. As your highness said, God gives power to who he wishes, but he uses people of his chosen to make it happen.”
He continued, “Let to me announce to Godwin that his royal highness just passed an envelope to me which contains his royal donation in support of your candidature. I like to openly pass it to you.”
Expressing his gratitude to the monarchs, Obaseki who couldn’t hide his joy at the royal endorsements said: “If I say that I am not truly humbled by what I have seen here today, I am not telling the truth. I feel truly humbled, but more importantly, I feel immensely challenged because what is happening here today is that someone is asking your royal highnesses to trust someone me.”
He added: The next four years will be one in which we I will go out to attract investors into our various domains; to get investors, we have to guarantee security of the investments and who can do that more than our royal fathers, the custodian of the traditional institutions and the ones closest to the people?”
He assured the royal fathers that he will justify the confidence reposed in him and take Edo to a higher level, saying “whatever we have started, we will continue and improve on it.”
