By Seyi Babalola
The people of Ugu and Evboesi in wards 9 and 10 of Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Friday defied the rains to show massive support for APC as the Senator Monday Okpebholo’s campaign trail stopped at the community, Akpakomiza Media Strikers has said
The group said in a statement that the APC was in the area to rekindle the people’s hope and deliver a goodwill message.
It also showcased the ‘great product they have for the Edo state 2024 Gubernatorial election.’
Director General of the APC 2024 Governorship campaign, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, who unveiled the quality of the great product the APC has for the 2024 Gubernatorial election, said, “we decided to give Senator Monday Okpebholo our ticket because he is not a stranger, he is known to his people and most importantly, before venturing into politics, he has been doing projects that are supposed to be done by government with his personal money. He has been building schools, providing Boreholes to communities, and doing different kinds of community services, including giving scholarships to the children of the poor. That is why when the party gave him its senate ticket in 2023, he became the first from APC to ever win as a Senator in Edo Central Senatorial District since 1999.
The former Deputy Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Pius Odubu, reminded the supporters of the achievements of APC in Ugu/Evboesi land. “APC constructed this road. The court in this land was built by APC. What about the schools, who built them? APC! So what does PDP have to campaign with in Ugu and Evboesi? Can you see that Akpakomiza resembles Oshiomhole? He is going to work like Oshiomhole and even do more. He has come to wipe away our tears. Senator Monday Okpebholo has tested election, he is a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Hon. Dennis Idahosa has been elected twice. If you have a faulty vehicle, who do you take it to, an apprentice or an expert? Senator Monday Okpebholo and Hon. Dennis Idahosa are experts, and they are the ones we will give our votes, not apprentices.”
According to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who lambasted the PDP Governorship candidate, “a man that is senior to me who does not know home should not get our vote. Monday Okpebholo, who is supposed to be his younger brother, has done big things for his people. Esan people who could not pay school fees, Monday Okpebholo paid, what the government could not do, Okpebholo has been doing it in Esanland but Asue has done nothing reasonable for his own people, yet he wants your vote, he will not get it. Our Deputy Governorship candidate, who is a young man, is part of Orhionmwon. His mother is from Ugboko, and such a person can not forget Orhionmwon when he becomes Deputy Governor.
“This ward is an oil producing ward. It is a ward the federal government sends allocation to. You have oil. The oil money is supposed to bring a lot of development here, but the reverse is the case. Now, the only land you depend on to farm and earn a living, the governor has used it to negotiate a project the state can comfortably fund. He went to meet PRESCO and told them he would give them your land as compensation to construct a road – quite an outrageous gesture! The ones who have stolen your land and disrespected our traditional institution will not get our votes.”
As evidence of APC in charge of Ugu and Evboesi, Hon. Patrick Asowere, told the audience that in the last National Assembly election, Ugu and Evboesi produced the best result to send Hon. Osawaru to the House of Representatives. “When PDP and Labour were getting 9 and 6 votes respectively in that last election, APC was getting over 100 votes in Ugu and Evboesi.
“This time, we will do even better because we cannot vote for people who are enemies of our Oba,” he said.
Senator Monday Okpebholo, while speaking, reaffirmed his assurance that the land taken from the people of Ugu and Evboesi will be returned the moment he’s sworn in.
He also promised to support their farming with fertilizer and soft loans when the time comes and to ensure their due development as an oil producing community gets to them without delay.
The organic solidarity Akpakomiza/Denco movement has garnered across the state is a pointer to a laudable victory.
