Yvonne Uwadia reporting
Pictures from a recent event in the United Kingdom have painted a stark contrast to the claims made by Mr. Tony Nigro Erhabor, attempting to undermine Barrister Osarodion Ogie’s visit.
Mr. Erhabor’s poorly scripted press statement alleged that Ogie’s reception was lukewarm due to Governor Godwin Obaseki’s supposed failures. However, Mr. Omorodion Kadiri, Director of Media for Asue Ighodalo’s Diaspora Support Movement in the UK, debunked these claims, asserting that Ogie was warmly received and that the event showcased the support for the AiO² movement.
“Hardly a street, quarter, area, village, community etc, in Edo you will visit without finding genuine supporters of the AiO² project,” said Kadiri, emphasizing the widespread backing for the movement.
Deacon Darlington Ray Okpebholo, another vocal supporter of the Ighodalo/Ogie ticket, a media practitioner based in London, took jabs at the opposition, particularly the APC, criticizing their candidate’s lack of legislative achievements and calling for more transparency.
He said “”In times like this, silence may seem golden, but for the APC, it’s just dull yellow. They should face their own colossal woes and ensure their senator-turned-gubernatorial candidate passes at least one bill in the senate after 9 months of merely occupying space and wasting taxpayers’ funds. They should also urge their candidate to engage in live interactions or interviews.”
Meanwhile, Ogie utilized the platform to hammer home the principles of the AiO² movement, focusing on character, capacity, and competence. He underscored the importance of sustaining ongoing reforms in Edo, emphasizing civil and public service reforms, infrastructure growth, and fiscal prudence.
“Diasporan commitment accounts for a huge chunk in the development of our dear State,” Ogie emphasized, stressing the significance of policies to sustain diasporan investments.
The response from Edos in diaspora was overwhelmingly positive, with many applauding Ogie’s detailed and direct responses to queries. Members of One Voice, UK, expressed confidence in the PDP and the AiO² movement, pledging to rally the vast majority of Edo diasporans in support.
Ogie’s tour in the UK aims to bolster diaspora support for the AiO² movement ahead of the Edo governorship election scheduled for September. The recent parley in the UK served as an extraordinary session, focusing on competence, character, capacity, and the imperative to sustain ongoing reforms in Edo.
As Ogie prepares to return to Benin City after his tour, the momentum behind the AiO² movement appears to be building, ready to kickstart the campaigns upon his arrival.