Why Edo Governorsip Election Is Do Or Die- Obaseki, Says Edo Youths Now Gainfully Employed

 

        Gov. Obaseki speaking at the PDP Grande.                    Finale in Benin

Hendrix Oliomogbe 

Still starting from his refusal to endorse the Peace Accord brokered by former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki Saturday in Benin gave reasons why next Saturday, September 21 Edo State Governorship Election is a do or die for the People's Democratic Party (PDP).

Recalled that former President Olusegun Obasanjo had infamously declared in one of the PDP campaign stumps during the run up to the 2007 Presidential Election between former President Umaru Yar'Adua of the PDP and ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the then Action Congress (AC), that the poll was a do or die affair.

Governor Obaseki had earlier accused the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of being biased and lashed out at security agents for arresting, harassing and intimidating supporters of the PDP across the state.

Speaking at the party's grande finale ahead of the election, the governor took a dig at his immediate predecessor and one time mentor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who recently engaged in a slanging match with the First Lady of the State, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki over marital affairs.

He pointedly accused the past president of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) of among other things, having no respect for Edo people generally and women in particular, encouraging prostitution and women’s trafficking.

Trumpeting his achievements, he told the gaily dressed party faithful that when he took over office in 2016, Edo pensioners wore black on Labour Day due to hard times, adding that they presently wear white. clothes because of the priority attention given to the senior citizens by his administration.

Governor Obaseki maintained that Edo is now one of the safest states in Nigeria because unemployment has been reduced and the youths now gainfully employed.

He bellowed: "When I took office, our youths had no jobs, but the don’t they have jobs? After eight years, is Edo not one of the safest in Nigeria?"

He continued: “This election is a do or die. Do you want insecurity? Do you want people that didn’t go to school to lead us? Next Saturday is the election, you will vote for PDP and our next governor is Asue Ighodalo.”