Politicking for the governorship seat of Edo State gathered momentum at the weekend as the Council of Traditional Rulers (Enogies) in Esanland (Edo Central Senatorial District) endorsed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the July 14 election, General Charles Ehigie Airhiavbere (retd).
The endorsement, which took place at the palace of the chairman of the council and Enogie of Uromi, His Royal Highness Amselm Zaiki Aidojie II, was consequent upon the presentation of Airhiavbere to the council by the former chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees and Iyasele of Esanland, Chief Tony Anenih.
Anenih, who was in company with leaders of the party in the state, including the state chairman, Chief Dan Orbih; Minister of Works, Architect Mike Onolenmemen; former Minister of Defence, General Godwin Abbe (retd); Senator Odion Ugbesia; Honourable Friday Utulah and former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Roland Owie, among others, called on politicians in the state to embark on campaigns that would promote respect for rulers and elders as well as deepen unity.
He told the no fewer than 15 Enogies in Esanland, who converged on the palace of the Enogie of Uromi, to receive the PDP governorship candidate that the purpose of the visit was to seek their blessings ahead of the official commencement of campaign for the crucial election.
Anenih said that so much time and effort was put into the process that led to the emergence of the party flag bearer, adding that “in order to be on a right footing this time round, PDP leaders spent a lot of time examining all five candidates who ran for the ticket of the party.”
This, according to him, “led to the postponement of the date for the primaries for more than four times.”
Describing the visit as “very important”, Anenih said he believed in always returning home to start any political battle in the state since home support for him as the prime minister (Iyasele) of Esanland was always guaranteed. He explained that such homecoming had always extended beyond politics to all traditional events.
He, however, decried attempts by some people to present the forthcoming election as a contest between him, the PDP and Airhiavbere on the one side and Governor Adams Oshiomhole on the other side, saying this was not supposed to be so.
According to him, “We are here to seek the royal fathers’ blessings. The governorship election comes up on July 14, this year. The campaign that is going on now in Edo State is very unusual in method and approach.”
He noted: “We play politics with respect to traditional rulers and elders. So, my elders, I need your blessings (for Airhiavbere) not only today, but also for tomorrow and after the elections.”
The Enogies, who spoke in turn, said that since the Otaru of Auchi and other traditional rulers from Edo North had found it convenient to support their son, Governor Adams Oshiomhole, they had no choice other than to support their son, Anenih and Airhiavbere whom he had presented to them for the governorship election.
The Enogie of Uromi, who summarised the position of the traditional rulers while rounding off, called on Airhiavbere to take the adoption by the people of Esanland for granted, even as he advised him to go to the Binis, who are his people, to support him, being their son.
Earlier, Airhiavbere had promised to tackle the perennial problems of lack of portable water, the dilapidated structures in the state-owned Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, lack of rural roads to link the agrarian communities and poor medical facilities and care in the public hospitals.
He said his administration would upgrade the State College of Education at Igueben to degree-awarding institution.
According to him, “Chief Anenih, and by extension, General Arhiavbere, belong to the Esan people and I will support them like never before. I and the people of Esanland we will support you come rain or shine and we will support you day and night.”
Earlier, Airhiavbere had promised to tackle the perennial problems of lack of portable water, the dilapidated structures in the state-owned Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, lack of rural roads to link the agrarian communities and poor medical facilities and care in the public hospitals.
He said his administration would upgrade the State College of Education at Igueben to degree-awarding institution.
The endorsement, which took place at the palace of the chairman of the council and Enogie of Uromi, His Royal Highness Amselm Zaiki Aidojie II, was consequent upon the presentation of Airhiavbere to the council by the former chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees and Iyasele of Esanland, Chief Tony Anenih.
Anenih, who was in company with leaders of the party in the state, including the state chairman, Chief Dan Orbih; Minister of Works, Architect Mike Onolenmemen; former Minister of Defence, General Godwin Abbe (retd); Senator Odion Ugbesia; Honourable Friday Utulah and former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Roland Owie, among others, called on politicians in the state to embark on campaigns that would promote respect for rulers and elders as well as deepen unity.
He told the no fewer than 15 Enogies in Esanland, who converged on the palace of the Enogie of Uromi, to receive the PDP governorship candidate that the purpose of the visit was to seek their blessings ahead of the official commencement of campaign for the crucial election.
Anenih said that so much time and effort was put into the process that led to the emergence of the party flag bearer, adding that “in order to be on a right footing this time round, PDP leaders spent a lot of time examining all five candidates who ran for the ticket of the party.”
This, according to him, “led to the postponement of the date for the primaries for more than four times.”
Describing the visit as “very important”, Anenih said he believed in always returning home to start any political battle in the state since home support for him as the prime minister (Iyasele) of Esanland was always guaranteed. He explained that such homecoming had always extended beyond politics to all traditional events.
He, however, decried attempts by some people to present the forthcoming election as a contest between him, the PDP and Airhiavbere on the one side and Governor Adams Oshiomhole on the other side, saying this was not supposed to be so.
According to him, “We are here to seek the royal fathers’ blessings. The governorship election comes up on July 14, this year. The campaign that is going on now in Edo State is very unusual in method and approach.”
He noted: “We play politics with respect to traditional rulers and elders. So, my elders, I need your blessings (for Airhiavbere) not only today, but also for tomorrow and after the elections.”
The Enogies, who spoke in turn, said that since the Otaru of Auchi and other traditional rulers from Edo North had found it convenient to support their son, Governor Adams Oshiomhole, they had no choice other than to support their son, Anenih and Airhiavbere whom he had presented to them for the governorship election.
The Enogie of Uromi, who summarised the position of the traditional rulers while rounding off, called on Airhiavbere to take the adoption by the people of Esanland for granted, even as he advised him to go to the Binis, who are his people, to support him, being their son.
Earlier, Airhiavbere had promised to tackle the perennial problems of lack of portable water, the dilapidated structures in the state-owned Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, lack of rural roads to link the agrarian communities and poor medical facilities and care in the public hospitals.
He said his administration would upgrade the State College of Education at Igueben to degree-awarding institution.
According to him, “Chief Anenih, and by extension, General Arhiavbere, belong to the Esan people and I will support them like never before. I and the people of Esanland we will support you come rain or shine and we will support you day and night.”
Earlier, Airhiavbere had promised to tackle the perennial problems of lack of portable water, the dilapidated structures in the state-owned Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, lack of rural roads to link the agrarian communities and poor medical facilities and care in the public hospitals.
He said his administration would upgrade the State College of Education at Igueben to degree-awarding institution.
No comments:
Post a Comment