As the September 21 governorship election in Edo State approaches, Chief Paul Smith Eghobor, the convener of the Asue Ighodalo Patriots (AIP), has made a strong appeal to the Esan community.
In a recent video shared on Facebook, Eghobor urged the Esan people to be cautious of deceptive influences that could undermine their interests.
Eghobor specifically warned against those opposing Dr. Asue Ighodalo, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate. He suggested that these opponents have hidden agendas and are unable to manipulate Ighodalo, a respected figure in the business world.
Eghobor argued that Ighodalo is not someone who can be treated as a puppet, contrasting him with Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, whom he claimed is being supported by individuals with a “sinister agenda” against the Esan people.
In his post, Eghobor expressed frustration with the historical challenges faced by Esan leaders in completing their governorship terms. He emphasized that Dr. Ighodalo, with his competence, credibility, and deep connection to the people, is the right choice to lead Edo State. Eghobor called on the Esan community to vote wisely, urging them to support Ighodalo in the upcoming election to ensure a prosperous future for the state.
His post which he recorded reads, ” I want to talk to my people from the Esan extraction concerning the governorship election coming on the 21 of September 2024 in Edo State.
” The Esan people should open their eyes and vote wisely. I don’t really know what’s happening to the leadership in Esanland that Esan will only struggle and fight to govern but can’t hold on to it or complete their tenures.
” Let go down from the days of Prof. Ambrose Alli, who only did four years and couldn’t get another four years; then Prof. Oseriemen Osunbor, who couldn’t complete his four years term but those from other regions completed theirs.
” From Lucky Igbinedion, Adams oshiomhole, now Gov. Godwin Obaseki all did their 8 year terms.
” Going by the All Progressives Congress primary in Edo State, many who never believed in zoning and saying the governor can come from any region, who fought hard to see (that) Esan don’t get the ticket if not for some external forces that gave (it) to Monday Okpebholo, Dennis Idahosa was already pronounced the candidate of APC. These same people are the ones reluctantly holding Monday Okpebholo’s hand from one campaign ground to the other.
” The funny part is that one of them who never believed in Esan man to be governor even after Obaseki, for equity fairness and justice, gave it to Esan.
” The man did parallel primaries but was thrown out by the court, has also pitched tenth with Okpebholo.
” Esan I want us to know that this is not a genuine support for Esan race but evil plot ahead of time. Esan should be wise and vote wisely to avoid impeachment of Esan and installation of a Benin man and Esan will lose out again, because these set of leaders know Okpebholo cannot match them, he can be easily manipulated.
” Esan has two sons contesting in the two major parties, the PDP and the APC. It is clear that the candidate of the PDP, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, has the capacity, credibility and competence to governor a sophisticated state like Edo State. He is a man that they cannot use like a robot and control like a slave, unlike the APC gubernatorial candidate.
” Asue Ighodalo has the street credibility, he is the real home boy, easily relates with the people and well exposed. They talk about speaking Esan, my children don’t speak and understand Esan but you cannot tell me that they are not Esan and can’t contest any election.
” Esan people, this is a passionate appeal, let vote wisely, let’s vote competence, let’s vote credibility, let vote capacity, let’s vote that man that will further take Edo State to more prosperity, Let vote Dr. Asue Ighodalo, vote PDP with the umbrella as symbol,” he stated in the audio recording.